Walterine Herrington Bell, M.D.

Walterine “Sissy” Herrington Bell, M.D., 92, passed away peacefully at home in Brandon with her family in attendance on October 30, 2025.

Visitation will be held at Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Brandon on Monday, November 3, 2025, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, with the funeral service beginning in the chapel at 1:00 pm.

Walterine was born in Decatur, MS, on March 18, 1933, to Walter Hart Herrington and Oneida May McDill Herrington. She grew up in Union, Mississippi, along with her sister, Nancy Dell.

She graduated from Union High School, East Central Junior College, Mississippi College, and the University of Mississippi School of Medicine. One week following graduation, she married her medical school classmate Charles E. Bell, M.D. Both completed internships at John Gaston Hospital in Memphis, TN. The couple then completed psychiatric residencies at the University of Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky. They returned to Mississippi and spent their careers serving as staff psychiatrists at the Mississippi State Hospital.

Walterine was a member of Meadow Grove Baptist Church in Brandon, MS, where she was a member of the Joy Sunday School Class. She enjoyed traveling and camping throughout the US, but her greatest joy was hosting her grandchildren in her home for a week every summer for BB Kids Camp (Bell/Broome).

She is survived by her two children Charlene Bell Broome (David) and Walter Charles “Wally” Bell (Melissa); six grandchildren Charles Nathaniel “Charlie” Bell (Mary), Hannah Jean Broome Peterman (George), Drury James Bell (Gloria), Rachel Rosalie Broome, Bonnie Blythe Bell Payton (Connor), and Bryan David Broome; four great-grandchildren Griffin Miles Bell, Thomas Wade Peterman, Genevieve Lynn “Ginny” Bell, and Beatrice Marie “Bea” Bell; many nieces, nephews, and their families.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her beloved sister Nancy Dell Herrington Rives, and her husband of 57 years, who passed away March 18, 2016.

The family would like to give special thanks to Penny Beeman, Jennifer Love, Linda Hill, Bobbie Courtney, Sue and Jimmy Layton, Robert Layton, and Sylvia Weathersby who provided loving care and support in her home until her passing.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Meadow Grove Baptist Church or Mississippi College Department of Chemistry.