Arvella Washington, affectionately known to friends and family as “Bonnie Bell,” graced the world with her presence as the fourth of five daughters to Nathaniel and Helen Bell on December 3, 1964, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Bonnie was called home on March 20, 2026, at 2:04 p.m. at Mercy West Hospital.

Bonnie attended Woodward High School, where she was a part of the drill team, and graduated in 1983. Woodward is where she met her first love, James Smith, with whom she welcomed her sons, James and Deonté Bell. She later met Michael Williams, and together they share a daughter, Melanise Williams – lovingly known by her mother as “Sweet Baby.”

Bonnie had a deep passion for cooking and an even deeper love for feeding others. Anyone who entered her home never left empty-handed – you left with a full belly, a to-go plate, and often a pie or two. She cooked for every holiday from Christmas to Thanksgiving and Mother’s Day – every Sunday, and every day her body allowed. If you were blessed to taste her food, especially her greens and ribs, you were in good company – and left with even better memories.

Bonnie dedicated her life to Christ at an early age and was a devoted member of First New Shiloh Baptist Church of Avondale under the leadership of Pastor Rashaan Boyd. She was a devout Christian and professed her love for Jesus to any and everyone whenever she had a chance.

Her love was loud, her kitchen was always open, and her presence will be deeply missed but forever remembered.

She was preceded in passing by her beloved son, Deonté Bell; her parents, Nathaniel and Helen Bell; her sisters, Belinda (“Kandy”) and Nadine (“Kitty”); and the fathers of her children, James Smith and Michael Williams.

She leaves to cherish her memory: her significant other, Cassius (“Cash”) Strickland; her children, James Bell, Melanise Williams, Michael (“Mikey”) Williams, and Ellen (“De-Anna”) Williams; her sisters, Selina (“Peaches”) Austin and Karen Bell, her best friend Deborah (“Teddy”) Sanders, Gloria Bell, Brian Burress, Angela McCoy; her grandchildren, Malaysia Bell, Jalaysia Bell, Aysia Bell, D’Rontae Johnson, Jamiah Roseberry, India Roseberry, Jai’Ayre Burton, Amoni Shade, Mason Williams, Eboni Key, and Shantye McKelton; along with a host of nieces, nephews, great-grandchildren, family members and dear friends.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from 11:00 am until 12:00 pm, on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at the First New Shiloh Baptist Church, 710 South Fred Shuttlesworth Circle, Cincinnati (45229). The funeral service will immediately follow the visitation, beginning at 12:00 pm. Friends and family will gather to share memories, find solace in one another's company, and honor the legacy she leaves behind.

We invite you to take a few moments to share fond memories and words of comfort and condolence with the Washington family. Please click the "Tribute Wall" icon above and to the right, enter the information, and click "Save Post."

Walker Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the Washington family during this difficult time. Please call 513.251.6200 or visit www.HerbWalker.com for additional information.