Bernice Kidd Bell | Schoolteacher, 79

Bernice Kidd Bell, 79, of East Mount Airy, a teacher at Grover Cleveland Elementary School for 26 years, died Thursday of cancer at home.

Born in Warren, Ohio, she moved to West Philadelphia after graduating from high school. She commuted to New York for several years to work as a fashion model. Her picture appeared in Jet, Ebony and other magazines, her family said.

Mrs. Bell earned a bachelor's in education from Cheyney State College in 1962, and afterward taught several grades Grover Cleveland Elementary School until retiring in 1988.

She married Herbert F. Kemp Sr. in 1947, and the couple raised a son in Glenside before divorcing in 1978.

She married Otis Bell in 1981, and the couple moved to East Mount Airy. They enjoyed boating and traveling. He died in 2002.

Mrs. Bell was active in St. Luke's Episcopal Church of Germantown. Mrs. Bell is survived by her son, Herbert Kemp Jr.; two grandsons and a sister. He first husband died in 1981.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. May 19 at St. Luke's Episcopal Church of Germantown, 5421 Germantown Ave. Burial was private.