Isabell Cecilia Ann (Baker) Tipton

Bell Tipton, age 74, passed away after a long illness, on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at Blount Memorial Hospital, surrounded by her family. Bell was born Aug. 5, 1948, in Louisville, Kentucky, but grew up in Dallas, Texas. She graduated from Bishop Dunne High School in 1966. On April 1^st of that year, she met Bob Tipton on a blind date. They would marry in May of 1967, and he remained her loving husband for 56 years. After the wedding, Bob and Bell moved to Bob’s home state of Tennessee, and eventually settled in Blount County. In 1980, they had a daughter, naming her Cecilia Ann, after Bell. In 1983, they had a son, Jonathan Baker.

Bell worked several jobs during her life, but once her children were school-aged, she became a substitute teacher for the Alcoa City School system, eventually becoming a teaching assistant, and retiring from a position in the Alcoa Middle School office. Working for the school and helping the students was a joy in her life. After her retirement, Bell enjoyed spending time with her family, especially once her grandchildren came along.  She also enjoyed crafting, cooking, music (particularly The Beatles and Elvis), and watching Hallmark movies, romantic comedies, and HGTV.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Lily (Laza) and Bill Baker, her brother, Gene Mikeska, aunts Suza Laza and Ann (John) Mikeska, and cousin Larry Morton. Bell is survived by husband, Bob Tipton, daughter, Cecilia Batson and her partner Jessie Taffer III, son Jonathan and his wife Amber Tipton, her grandchildren, Sarah Batson, Brooks Tipton, and Harper Tipton, cousins Lois Morton, David Morton, and Lisa Meara, special friends Carolyn Knapek, Sharion Montano, and Debbie Keller, and numerous other relations, friends, and students.

The receiving of friends will be held at Our Lady of Fatima in Alcoa, Tennessee, on Thursday, August 17, 2023, from 5-7 p.m., with the Funeral Mass to immediately follow. Any and all who loved Bell are invited to attend.