About the Candidate
“A Blessed Child of God”
Valerie Gary Bell is a native of the 2nd Episcopal District and a lifelong member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She is a fifth generation AME, the daughter of Mr. James and Rev. Vivian Gary. Valerie’s spiritual growth and development was inspired and nurtured by the members of Mt Zion AME Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
For over forty-four years, Valerie has been married to her best friend and the love of her life, Donald Bell, Sr. God blessed this union with two sons: Rev. Donald Bell Jr. (Adrienne) and Derrick Bell (Felicia). Valerie is the proud and loving grandmother of DeAriel, Donald III (Trey), Adriana and Derrick II.
“A Spirit of Excellence”
From birth Valerie was taught to strive for excellence and in 1973 she made history as the first African American graduate of Old Dominion University, School of Dental Hygiene, in the state of Virginia.
Her professional career has included employment as a Staff Dental Hygienist, Clinician and Instructor, at the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD and the Public Health Service of Capitol Hill in Washington DC. She continued to cultivate and enhance her leadership skills as a Marketing Manager for AT&T Inc. in Fairfax VA.
After successful tenures with the United States Naval Academy and AT&T, Valerie stepped out on faith and began living her childhood dream as an African American entrepreneur. For over 25 years, Valerie was the successful owner and stylist of two salons in the D. C. metropolitan area. She is currently the personal stylist for many of Washington’s elite and powerful women.
“Serving the Lord”
Valerie has dedicated her life to making a difference in the hearts and lives of others. As servants of the Lord, Valerie, her husband and two sons are the founding members of First AME Church of Manassas, Virginia in 1985.
Valerie is recognized in the African Methodist Episcopal Church for her unwavering love for God, human kind and being a catalyst for excellence. She has served in many capacities at the Local, Conference, District and Connectional level.
Valerie Gary Bell is a native of the 2nd Episcopal District and a lifelong member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She is a fifth generation AME, the daughter of Mr. James and Rev. Vivian Gary. Valerie’s spiritual growth and development was inspired and nurtured by the members of Mt Zion AME Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
For over forty-four years, Valerie has been married to her best friend and the love of her life, Donald Bell, Sr. God blessed this union with two sons: Rev. Donald Bell Jr. (Adrienne) and Derrick Bell (Felicia). Valerie is the proud and loving grandmother of DeAriel, Donald III (Trey), Adriana and Derrick II.
“A Spirit of Excellence”
From birth Valerie was taught to strive for excellence and in 1973 she made history as the first African American graduate of Old Dominion University, School of Dental Hygiene, in the state of Virginia.
Her professional career has included employment as a Staff Dental Hygienist, Clinician and Instructor, at the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD and the Public Health Service of Capitol Hill in Washington DC. She continued to cultivate and enhance her leadership skills as a Marketing Manager for AT&T Inc. in Fairfax VA.
After successful tenures with the United States Naval Academy and AT&T, Valerie stepped out on faith and began living her childhood dream as an African American entrepreneur. For over 25 years, Valerie was the successful owner and stylist of two salons in the D. C. metropolitan area. She is currently the personal stylist for many of Washington’s elite and powerful women.
“Serving the Lord”
Valerie has dedicated her life to making a difference in the hearts and lives of others. As servants of the Lord, Valerie, her husband and two sons are the founding members of First AME Church of Manassas, Virginia in 1985.
Valerie is recognized in the African Methodist Episcopal Church for her unwavering love for God, human kind and being a catalyst for excellence. She has served in many capacities at the Local, Conference, District and Connectional level.
Dedicated servant at the Local Church level
Past
Chairperson-Commission(s) on Evangelism, Membership, Christian Education
Member of the Women’s Choir
Member of the Women’s Missionary Society
Church Secretary and Church School Superintendent/Teacher-10 Years
Steward and Pro-Tempore Steward Board
Teacher-New Member’s Class
President, Fredericka L. Hildebrand Missionary Society
Y.P.D. Director
President, Lay Organization
Dedicated servant at the Washington Conference level
Present
Washington Annual Conference Core Planning Committee Member
WMS-Conference Branch Member
Past
Washington Annual Conference Trustee
Capitol District Assistant Sunday School Superintendent
Dedicated servant at the 2nd Episcopal District level:
Present
Second Episcopal District Lay President
*Aligned Lay Convention with District meeting schedule
*Embraced and enhanced District and Conference YAR leadership
*Instituted District Component Leadership Training
Second Episcopal District Core Planning Committee Member
Past
Second Episcopal District 1st Vice President-2006 to 2010
Dedicated servant at the Connectional level:
Present
General Conference Delegate: 1984-2016
Elected to General Board: 1992-2016
Secretary of the Commission on Statistics/Finance 2000-2016
Member of the Executive Committee of the General Board
Vice Chairman of the Lay Commission
Member of the Global Development Commission
Connectional Women’s Missionary Society-Chief Protocol Officer
Lay Witness Speaker: in the 2nd, 5th, 7th, 9th and 12th Episcopal Districts
Past
Member of the Commission on Publications, Global Witness & Ministry
Member of the Commission on Colleges, Seminaries and Universities
Episcopal District Lay Member-Strategic Planning/Redistricting Committee 2004-2008
Delegate-Connectional Lay Biennial: 1997-2015
Member-Connectional Lay Budget and Finance Committee
Chairperson, Connectional Lay Organization Black Tie Soiree
Advisor to Connectional Lay President, Dr. Willie C. Glover
Valerie is a blessed child of God, and desires like Daniel, to serve the Lord, with a spirit of Excellence.
Past
Chairperson-Commission(s) on Evangelism, Membership, Christian Education
Member of the Women’s Choir
Member of the Women’s Missionary Society
Church Secretary and Church School Superintendent/Teacher-10 Years
Steward and Pro-Tempore Steward Board
Teacher-New Member’s Class
President, Fredericka L. Hildebrand Missionary Society
Y.P.D. Director
President, Lay Organization
Dedicated servant at the Washington Conference level
Present
Washington Annual Conference Core Planning Committee Member
WMS-Conference Branch Member
Past
Washington Annual Conference Trustee
Capitol District Assistant Sunday School Superintendent
Dedicated servant at the 2nd Episcopal District level:
Present
Second Episcopal District Lay President
*Aligned Lay Convention with District meeting schedule
*Embraced and enhanced District and Conference YAR leadership
*Instituted District Component Leadership Training
Second Episcopal District Core Planning Committee Member
Past
Second Episcopal District 1st Vice President-2006 to 2010
Dedicated servant at the Connectional level:
Present
General Conference Delegate: 1984-2016
Elected to General Board: 1992-2016
Secretary of the Commission on Statistics/Finance 2000-2016
Member of the Executive Committee of the General Board
Vice Chairman of the Lay Commission
Member of the Global Development Commission
Connectional Women’s Missionary Society-Chief Protocol Officer
Lay Witness Speaker: in the 2nd, 5th, 7th, 9th and 12th Episcopal Districts
Past
Member of the Commission on Publications, Global Witness & Ministry
Member of the Commission on Colleges, Seminaries and Universities
Episcopal District Lay Member-Strategic Planning/Redistricting Committee 2004-2008
Delegate-Connectional Lay Biennial: 1997-2015
Member-Connectional Lay Budget and Finance Committee
Chairperson, Connectional Lay Organization Black Tie Soiree
Advisor to Connectional Lay President, Dr. Willie C. Glover
Valerie is a blessed child of God, and desires like Daniel, to serve the Lord, with a spirit of Excellence.