Emma Leticia Ramirez Bell

Emma Leticia (Lety) Ramirez Bell passed away on June 24, 2023 in Arlington, Texas.

She was born on June 14, 1952 in Piedras Negras, Mexico to parents Isidro Saul Ramirez and Emma Berrones Ramirez. Emma’s first 10 years were spent in Mexico until 1962 when her entire family immigrated to the United States. They lived in Dallas, Texas where Emma attended school and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1970. She then studied at the University of Texas at Arlington, graduating in 1976 with a Bachelor’s Degree in History.

While at UTA, Emma met the love of her life, Philip C. Bell and the two were married on July 14, 1973. In 1980, they were blessed with a beautiful daughter, Brandie Melissa. After a long and difficult labor, Brandie was born with profound, multiple disabilities. Brandie spent the first three weeks of her life in the NICU at Cook Children’s Medical Center before being discharged to the care of her parents.

Brandie’s disabilities motivated Emma to dedicate herself to raising and caring for Brandie for the next 43 years. Besides being a full-time mother to Brandie, Emma found time to serve on numerous committees, councils and Boards of Directors of various local, state and national disability organizations. Emma also dedicated her time to providing emotional support to other parents who had children with Special Needs and sharing information with them about resources in the community. Emma founded two parent support groups, Our Special Children and the Spanish-speaking Las Familias. Under her leadership, these two groups helped hundreds, if not thousands, of parents in North Texas over a 30-year period.

Emma was preceded in death by both of her parents. She is survived by her husband, Philip and their daughter Brandie; brothers Mario Ramirez and Saul Ramirez; sister Maria Barton and numerous aunts, uncles, nephews nieces and cousins.

Emma was a parishioner at St. Matthew Catholic Church where she attended frequently until her cancer diagnosis. She battled her cancer bravely and had been in remission for the last 12 years.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that you consider a donation to Cook Children’s Hospital in Emma’s honor. You can make a donation now by clicking here.