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Mrs. Mary Ella Bell Bishop Respess, age 83, a resident of Day Beacon Drive, Belhaven, died Wednesday, August 25, 2021, at her home.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM Sunday, August 29, 2021, at Union Grove Church of Christ, Hwy 99 North, Pantego conducted by Pastor Cris Noble.  Burial will follow in Davis Cemetery.

The following will serve as pallbearers:  Shaun Respess, Justin Furlough, Reg Bishop IV, Michael Bishop, Jr., Ryan Bishop and Chris Hopkins.

Mrs. Respess was born in the Pungo community of Beaufort County on February 19, 1938.  She was the daughter of the late Jurden Braxton Bell and Henrietta Hodges Bell.  Mrs. Respess was a retired farmer and interior decorator.   In the 1970’s, she was the only female pork producer for the largest pork producer (Bell Farms) in the state.  Later, Mrs. Respess owned and operated Bayside Boutique in Chocowinity. She was a lifelong member of Union Grove Church of Christ and attended Trinity United Methodist Church. In her spare time, she enjoyed interior decorating, going to the beach, playing Rummikub, reading and playing on her I-Pad.  Later in life, Mrs. Respess enjoyed socializing with her Day Beacon friends.

Mrs. Respess was married to Hassel Oscar Respess, who preceded her in death. May 7, 2018.

Mrs. Respess is survived by a daughter, Vicki Furlough of Cary and Belhaven; two sons, Reggie Bishop III and wife, LaDee of Pantego, Michael Bishop and wife, Angie of Pantego; eight grandchildren, Shaun Respess and wife, Alesha of Huntersville, N.C., Candice Schaefer and husband, Aaron of Garner, Justin Furlough and wife, Heather of Garner, Reg Bishop IV, Ryan Bishop, Lexy Bishop, Michael Bishop, Jr., and Ashton Bishop all of Pantego; two great grandchildren, Ella Respess, Collin Respess; brother, Roland Bell and wife, Karen of Pantego; and two step children, Craig Respess of Pamlico Beach, Sharon Weaver and husband, Woody of Raleigh.

In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Respess was preceded in death by a son, Jay Bishop, grandson, Reginald Nash Bishop; two brothers, J.B. Bell, Jr., Joe Bell and sister, Carolyn Wright.

Mrs. Respess will lie in state at Paul Funeral Home in Belhaven from 12 Noon to 5:00 PM Saturday, August 28, 2021.

Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to Friends of Trinity, 491 East Main Street, Belhaven, N.C.  27810.

Online condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com

Paul Funeral Home of Belhaven is honored to serve the Respess family.