Toft Funeral Home and Crematory
2001 Columbus Ave
Sandusky, OH 44870
Phone: 419-625-8816
Website: http://www.toftfh.com
View All Obituaries from Toft Funeral Home and Crematory
Artelia "Tina" Belle, 93, Sandusky, passed away Sunday, August 19, 2018, in the Stein Hospice Care Center in Sandusky, OH.
She was born on April 26, 1925, in Lancaster, Kentucky, to the late Hugh and Esther (Dunn) Fossett.
Artelia accepted Christ as her Savior while a child.
Artelia grew up in Danville, Kentucky, and attended local schools and re-located to Ohio in the 1940s to achieve a better life ultimately settling in Sandusky, OH. She joined the New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church under its founding pastor, Pastor Fred Tucker.
Education, creativity by sewing (seamstress) and the Healthcare industry were important to Artelia. She earned her GED through an adult learning program. Then worked various jobs while studying to earn her Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) degree.
Artelia was known for the beautiful wedding gowns and dresses she created for her many clients who traveled from near and far for her services.
She worked as an LPN in Sandusky hospitals such as Good Samaritan, Providence and the Ohio Veterans Home from which she retired. Artelia also served as the Assistant Director for the Head Start Program in Sandusky and traveled around the country representing the agency extolling the virtues of giving disadvantaged children a head start in life. She was passionate about providing comprehensive early childhood education, health, nutrition and parental involvement services to low-income children and their families.
Artelia Belle is survived by her daughter, June Collins, sons, Thomas E. Pope Jr. (Gwen), George W. Pope (Janet), Robert K. Pope (Melonne), grandchildren, Thomas Pope III, Terie Coley (John), Doris Pope, George Pope Jr., Jasmine Pope, Taylor Pope, Robert Pope II, Davionne Bonds, seven great-grandchildren, Camille Pope, A'maia Bonds, Nicholas, Nathan, Namon, Nakia and Nariyah Coley and son-in-law, James McDonald.
Artelia was preceded in death by her parents, an aunt, two husbands, a son-in-law, Curtis Collins and a grandchild, A'tiona Brown.
Friends may call on Tuesday, August 28, 2018, from 10 A.M. until time of a Home Going Service at 11 A.M. in New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, 1920 Eddy Henry Way, Sandusky. Rev. Curtis L. Johnson Jr. will officiate. Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery.
Condolences and gifts of sympathy may be made to the family by visiting toftfuneralhome.com.
Toft Funeral Home & Crematory 2001 Columbus Ave. Sandusky, is handling the arrangements
