When Collis Sherman Bell was growing up in Bimini, Bahamas, her family and members of the town knew that she was destined for success. However, they never saw the writer she’d become today. “Cookie”, as she is affectionately known, was a numbers girl and loved analyzing and putting things together.
You could say that those days prepared her for penning her first book of contemporary poetry in “Pockets of My Heart”. Bell whets your appetite by using humor, wit and strong emotions to paint vivid and colorful pictures of herself, her family, special friends and relationships. As a wife and mother, she has drawn from more than twenty-five years of family life experiences and personal relationships. While a new writer to the genre, Bell credits a former church member for encouraging and praying with her for the realization of her goal.
Bell writes amazingly engaging scenarios about those closest to her heart. She allows you to peek into her family life with poems like “It’s Only Fair!” which tells of her husband’s love of football and “Winner”, which celebrates her daughter’s college graduation. Her colorful reflections on college life at PVAMU are filled with anecdotes Bell also includes numerous poems which speak of her belief and trust in God, offering hope and encouragement to readers. Her book motivates you to reflect on and find poetry in your own family, friends and relationships.
Collis Bell grew up in Bimini, Bahamas and graduated from Saint Anne’s High School in Nassau, Bahamas. The eldest of nine siblings, Bell believes that the years of family gatherings, story telling and humor contributed to “Pockets of My Heart”. In the final analysis, you could say success in the writing world is written in “for whom the Bell tolls”. No pun intended.
“Cookie” was among 33 students from the Bahamas, who enrolled in Prairie View A&M University in September, 1973. They all came under the Bahamas-Prairie View Friendship Program. While at PVAMU, she studied Economics and Business and was involved in many activities and organizations, such as Bahamas-PV Association, Economics and Geography Honor Societies, Alpha Mu Gamma Foreign Languages Honor Society, Kappa Diamonds, Ms. Semper Fidelis; to name a few. She was also listed on the President’s Honor Roll for eight semesters and graduated with honors (BA degree 1977, MA degree 1978). Collis also worked as a student assistant in the Department of Economics and Geography and the Unversity's Utilities Department.
Bell is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (Broward County Alumnae Chapter) and also works in her community with the Kiwanis Club of Weston and with several ministries in her church, The Fountain Ministries.
Currently, her spiritual calling is working with autistic children. Why? “Because there is a feeling of fulfillment and purpose when working with special needs children.” Bell says that it takes a special kind of heart to work with her children and admits that they give her as much love and joy as she gives them.
She is married to Willie J. Bell, III. (PVAMU 1977). He is the son of Esel and Willie J. Bell, Jr. of Prairie View, Texas. Her family has had many job relocations, both in and out of the USA. They currently reside in Weston, Florida with their two children, W.J. and Candice.
Collis Sherman Bell’s book “Pockets of My Heart” can be purchased by calling 1-800-AUTHORS or online at www.iUniverse.com.
Copyright 2008 Prairie View Today. All right reserved.
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