Katherine Louise Bell Gillis, 87

With love and tender remembrance, we honor Katherine Louise Bell Gillis, age 87, of Swainsboro, a cherished mother and grandmother whose love, gentleness, grace and humility touched everyone around her, who passed away Sunday, November 1, 2026, at Emanuel Medical Center surrounded by her children and grandchildren who loved her deeply. Funeral services were held Thursday, November 5, at 2 p.m. at Hawhammock Missionary Baptist Church with Reverend Cail Pressey officiating. Interment followed in church cemetery with committal by Pastor Robert Winters. Visitation was Wednesday, November 4, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Chapman Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were Jeff Glover, Terry Bell, John Madison Hooks, Mitch Fleming, Chance Callaway and Jeremy Carson.

Family was the center of Katherine’s world, and the love she had for each one was evident in everything she did. She loved Interior Design, painting, sewing, cooking, crocheting, upholstering furniture, she loved her Sunday School Class, singing in the choir and serving in any role no matter how large or small. Katherine traveled to all 48 states in the Union, lived in Europe, was co-director of “Tinkerbells” for six years, employed for 20 plus years at B. C. Moore’s, and volunteered for two years at Emanuel County Medical Center. Katherine’s quiet and meek spirit carried the light of Jesus everywhere, whether to family, friends or complete strangers. She was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed! Mrs. Gillis is preceded in death by parents, Howard and Ada Bell Hudson Glover; husband of 50 years, George W. Bell; sisters, Virginia Gay and Gail Parrish; and brother, William Glover.

Mrs. Gillis is survived by her husband of 18 years, Charles Gillis; four children, Kay Winters of Arizona (Robert), Monica Wren, Diane Waters and Timmy Bell, all of Swainsboro; stepdaughter, Tammy Claxton (Doc); sisters, Carol Hooks of Swainsboro and Sharon Cowart of Twin City; brothers, Wendell Glover (Susie) of Gray and Larry Glover of Macon; 12 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Chapman Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.