FRANKLIN — Sallie Stephens Bell, a longtime resident of Drum Hill, North Carolina, and Franklin, Virginia, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Southampton Memorial Hospital.

Born on July 15, 1930, to Jimmy and Mary Stephens, Sallie was born and raised in the Franklin/Southampton County area, and worked as a domestic worker and caregiver to many.

Ms. Sallie leaves to cherish her memory two daughters, Rosa Blue of San Jose, California, and Mary Stephens, Newport News, Virginia; and four sons, Jerry Stephens (Patsy), Brooklyn, New York; William “Peanut” Stephens (Mary) and Steve Stephens (Katherine), both of Franklin; and James Earl Stephens, Newport News.

The homegoing celebration will convene on Wednesday, Sept. 6, at 1 p.m., in East End Church, Franklin.