Michelle Vaillant Bell

Michelle Vaillant Bell, beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, servant and woman of faith, passed from this life on August 24, 2026, in Plano, Texas. Born October 28, 1957, in Framingham, Massachusetts, Michelle lived 68 years with a faith that shaped the way she loved, served and encouraged those around her.

Michelle met her husband, David Arthur Bell, while attending college in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in social work. They fell in love, moved to Dallas, Texas, and began their life together through Northway Baptist Church and its singles Bible Study group. They were married on October 16, 1982, by Pastor Bob Norman. Their marriage was grounded in their shared faith and the belief that two lives could become one while following God’s direction.

Michelle began her career at Otis Engineering and later joined David at Electronic Data Systems (EDS), a Ross Perot company, where she worked in the banking group. Eventually, she felt called to devote herself to motherhood and her family.

Service became a defining part of Michelle’s life. She volunteered for many years in Vacation Bible School, the church historical committee, the nursery and as a school volunteer. She and David also served together as Sunday School teachers and directors for 15 years at First Baptist Church Plano. Pastor Michael Riley baptized their two sons. Michelle and David later joined Prestonwood Baptist Church, which had its roots as a mission church of Northway Baptist.

Michelle’s faith was not simply something she talked about; it was reflected in the way she lived. She sought to serve others with diligence, integrity and a servant’s heart. She and David shared a special appreciation for what they called “God Winks” moments that seemed coincidental but that they recognized as messages, answered prayers or reminders of God’s presence. They looked for those moments and gave thanks for the people and circumstances that appeared along their journey.

Michelle is survived by her husband, David Arthur Bell; their two sons, Michael David Bell and Steven Wesley Bell; her mother, Lily Susanna Thomason; her sister, Madeleine Andree Vaillant Simmons; and her brother, Francois Phillippe Vaillant.

Michelle will be deeply missed, especially her precious smile and the inner joy and love that she shared with others. Her faith, integrity, love of family and commitment to serving others will continue through the lives she touched and the generations that follow.

“For we live by faith, not by sight.” – 2 Corinthians 5:7

There will be a memorial service to celebrate Michelle’s life at 10:00 a.m., Friday, September 25, 2026, at Faith Chapel, Prestonwood Baptist Church, Plano, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Michelle’s name be made to the North Texas Food Bank at: https://give.ntfb.org/site/Donation or Extreme Response at: https://extremeresponse.org/ or Plano Animal Shelter at: https://www.plano.gov/animal-services-the-plano-animal-shelter