Nellee Ann Bell

Surrounded by her family in the early hours of January 16, 2024, Nellee Ann Bell, age 11, ran joyfully into the arms of our Savior and entered into paradise. Nellee was born to Heath and Megan Bell April 19, 2012 in Vernal, Utah. From the moment she came into this world, she radiated a joy that was contagious to all that knew her. Nellee fell in love with everything there was about life. She had a passion for the outdoors and the beauty of the earth. She loved hiking in the mountains and all of the flowers this world has to offer. She spent summer days soaking up the sun on the lake with her family- wakeboarding, wakesurfing, or tubing at every chance she could get. In the winters, she looked forward to the many snowboarding trips with her parents and five siblings. In her free time she loved being with her countless friends, perfecting her different accents, crafting, dancing, playing volleyball, and showing off her six pack. Nellee had a deep love for Jesus and carried the light of Christ with her wherever she went. She once told her mom, "I love you so much, but I love Jesus more!" Nellee's testimony of Jesus Christ was strong throughout her life and she strived to live her life as Jesus would. It became apparent that the Savior was walking with her at every moment. Her infectious smile, tender heart, and extraordinary spirit was an incredible example to every person who was blessed to know her. In her time on this earth Nellee loved and lived as Jesus did, and will continue to do so heaven-side. Nellee's faith remained at the forefront of her incredible fight with cancer. In the summer of 2023, she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her knee. In August she received a rotationplasty and healed better than expected. Nellee had a rapid recovery and quickly went back to dancing through life. Within a few months of her surgery, the cancer metastasized and spread to her lungs. She worked hard to regain the full range of motion in her foot in order to use her prosthesis. On New Years Eve, she proudly reached her goal and cried tears of joy to complete the last motion she needed to be able to use her prosthetic leg fully. Despite the challenges life presented, Nellee never lost her smile or sense of humor. She loved to freak people out with her cute backwards foot, show off her funny faces, and make people laugh with her signature eyebrow wave. Her radiant smile and beautiful light captured the hearts of many as she shared her journey with the world. Throughout her rotationplasty, prosthesis fitting and lengthy medical treatments, Nellee's joy and faith remained steadfast. She inspired everyone to be "Tough as Nellee'' and live life to the absolute fullest. To know Nellee is to know genuine love. Her deep love for her family and friends was unending. Nellee always hugged a little tighter, smiled a bit brighter, and made each moment a lot more special. She hugged with a purpose and healed others' hearts with her light. Nellee is survived by her parents, Heath and Megan, her four sisters Kylee (18), Kortnee (15), Lyndee (13), Elsee (10) and her favorite brother Kaleb (16), her sweet dogs Poppy, Molly and Moose, her grandparents Jim and Linda Jones (Arizona) and Dean and Susan Bell (Vernal, UT), her large extended family and countless friends. She is preceded in death by her uncle Jeram Dean Bell, cousin Lily Ann Schellenberg, and all of her great grandparents. Funeral services for Nellee will be held Saturday January 20, 2024 at 2:00pm at the Ashley LDS Stake Center (475 West 100 South). Viewing and Visitation for family and friends will be held Friday from 6:00pm ~ 8:00pm at the Phillips Ashley Valley Funeral Home (410 North 800 West), and Saturday from 12:00pm ~ 1:30pm at the church prior to the services. Interment will be in the Maeser Fairview Cemetery under the direction of the Phillips Ashley Valley Funeral Home. To donate towards Nellee's funeral services please call or come into the funeral home.