Donnis Hurst Bell Ward
March 22, 1939 – May 15, 2026

Donnis Hurst Bell Ward, 87, of Cairo, GA, passed away at Archbold Living in Cairo, GA, on Friday, May 15, 2026. She will be interred in the Cairo Cemetery. The family will have an intimate celebration of life service at a later date.

Donnis was born on March 22, 1939, in Whigham, GA, to the late H.C. “Doc” Hurst and Christell Merritt Hurst. She retired as a paralegal from Altman & Lane, Attorneys at Law in Thomasville. She was a member of the Cairo First Methodist Church.

Donnis was a lifelong gardener and always enjoyed working in her yard. She was a self-taught florist and loved arranging flowers for family weddings and special occasions. This creative design gave her great joy and enjoyment. She was an avid bridge and mahjong player belonging to several clubs throughout her lifetime. Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were the center of her world!

Survivors include: her children, Louis Arthur “Art” Bell, Amy Dorsch, both of Port St. Joe, FL; grandchildren, Rodney Bell (Tietong) of Mamaroneck, NY, Brian Bell (KC) of Portland, OR, Brandon Bell of Louisville, KY, Brittany Short (Conley) of Leary, GA, Mikayla McKee, Carter Dorsch (Allie), both of Port St. Joe, FL; great-grandchildren, Emma Short, Presley Short, Jaxson Short, all of Leary, GA, Rudy McKee, Nolan McKee, Cade Dorsch, all of Port St. Joe, FL, Rowan Bell of Mamaroneck, NY; siblings, Louis Hurst (Jimmie Lou) of Havana, FL, Gayle Brett of Tallahassee, FL, Adrain Hurst (Becky) of Attapulgus, GA, Chris Hurst of Tallahassee, FL; and a host of nieces, nephews and extended family.

She was preceded in death by: her parents, Doc and Christell Hurst; her son, Roy Andrew “Andy” Bell; and the father of her children, Roy Arthur “Buddy” Bell, Jr.

Memorials may be made in Donnis’ memory to: Cairo First Methodist Church, 318 South Broad, Cairo, GA 39828.