Mary Stafford Chafee Bell

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mary Stafford Chafee Bell, our loving and devoted mother, grandmother and friend to all whose lives she touched. Mary departed this life July 30, 2021. She was born June 9, 1921 in Augusta, GA, to the late Thomas Holden Stafford and Nina Hankinson Stafford.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 7, 2021 at The Church of the Good Shepherd, 2230 Walton Way, Augusta, GA 30904. A reception will be held immediately after the service in the Parish Hall. A private family burial service will be held at Summerville Cemetery.


Mary attended William Robinson School, Tubman High School, and Florida State (FSCW).
In 1945 Mary met her love James Tobin Chafee after he returned from WWII. They married June 1, 1946. They had two children, Ann Kinloch Chafee and Henry Campbell Chafee. In 1970 Jim died of a sudden heart attack.

In April of 1983 Mary was blessed to meet and marry Dr. Houston L. Bell of Roanoke, VA. They were married for 13 years until Dr. Bell died in June of 1996. Mary returned to Augusta to be with her family.
Mary was a devout member of The Church of the Good Shepherd where she was a member of St. Margaret’s Circle and Guild of the Christ Child. She was a founding member of The Gateway Garden Club since 1946 and served as president and treasurer. She was a former member of Augusta Country Club, the College Hill Chapter of the DAR, and Colonial Dames of the 17th Century in Virginia. She was a member of Historic Augusta and Augusta Museum of History. Mary’s favorite activities were Tennis which she continued to play until her late 70’s, and Bridge which she was able to play until age 99.

Mary was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Ann Chafee Turbyfill, and her devoted brothers Thomas Holden Stafford (Rosalie) of Atlanta, Luther Hankinson Stafford (Katherine) of Columbia, SC, her nieces Katherine Stafford Phillips (Tom) and Louise D’Antignac Markwalter (John).

She is survived by her son, Henry Campbell Chafee (Pamela), her son-in-law Robert Reeves Turbyfill Jr., her stepson Houston L. Bell, Jr. (Peggy); her grandchildren, Robert Reeves Turbyfill, III, Jamey Chafee Turbyfill, Laura Turbyfill Yaekel, Aimee Chafee Gay (Jared), Brian James Chafee (Stefanie), Ashley Bell and Houston L. Bell, III; her great grandchildren Seth Joseph Yaekel, Noah Thomas Yaekel, Luke Graham Yaekel, Mary Kendall Gay, Nathan Thomas Gay, Murphy Douglas Gay, Ava Elizabeth Chafee, Pope Kennedy and Wren Kennedy; her devoted nieces Lois D’Antignac Kendall (William), Nina Stafford Trent, Laurie Stafford Whittington (Van), Beth Stafford Grodd, Rosemary Stafford, Christine Stafford, Katy Stafford Metzel (Ken), Rachel Stafford Cochran (Charles), Susanne “Susie” Stafford, Patricia Stafford Brantley (Thomas) and her nephew Dr. Robert Stafford (Sarah).

The family would like to thank the staff of Brookdale Senior Living, Augusta for caring for Mary for the last two years.



In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Church of the Good Shepherd or a charity of your choice.