Deacon Leroy Bell
Deacon Bell Obituary
Public viewing and visiting hours for Mr. Bell will be observed on Wednesday, January 1, 2014 between the hours of 12:00 NOON and 6:00 PM at the funeral home. Deacon Bell will be in state for one hour at the church on the day of funeral services.
The Celebration of Life for Deacon Leroy Bell will be observed on Thursday, January 2, 2014 at 1:00 O'Clock PM from the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, 653 County Road 667, Roanoke, Alabama, with the pastor, Reverend Timothy Huguley, pastor, officiating. Other ministers sharing the roster will include: Reverend L.B. Houston, Reverend Joe C. Cofield, and Reverend Jeffery Henderson.
Burial will follow in the adjoining cemetery at Macedonia Baptist Church.
For updated information, please call 334.863.4885.
THE OBITUARY
”I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” (St. John 11: 25-26)
Deacon Leroy Bell was born on August 15, 1939, and raised by the late Ted and Lizzie Bell. The Bell family household also included four (5) brothers and two (2) sisters who preceded Leroy in death. The brothers were: Mr. William H. Bell, Mr. E.S. Bell, Reverend Lewis Bell, Reverend M.C. Bell, and Deacon John Ceroy Bell. Sisters included Louise Johnson and Ora D. Goode.
Leroy graduated from the Randolph County Training School with the class of 1958. He later attended A.G. Gaston Business College in Birmingham, Alabama and Alabama State University in Montgomery, Alabama.
In 1958, at age of 18, Leroy joined the United States Air Force. He was a 405 Food Services, Sergeant. He did flight feeding, air police duties, and guard flight lines in Air Craft.
In 1976, he lost his left eye and was discharged on disability. He returned home and married Mrs. Joyce McKnight and to this union four (4) children were born. They relocated to Atlanta, Georgia where Leroy started working at the United States Post Office. While residing in Atlanta, he also worked as a Security Guard at Dobbins AFC, American Red Cross, Atlanta Board of Education, Haverty’s Furniture Company, and Sealy Mattress.
Leroy later returned home to Roanoke, where he met Ms. Mary J. Baker. Their friendship blossomed into a courtship that lasted for many years. While in Roanoke, he worked at Sears Warehouse in Anniston, Alabama as a security guard; a WalMart Department Manager in LaGrange, Georgia, and Roanoke, Roanoke Fashions, Southern Home Comfort and Grounds Keeper.
Deacon Bell joined the First Baptist Church in 1947 before enlisting in the military. Some years after his return to Roanoke, in 1985, he moved his membership to Macedonia. While at Macedonia, he was ordained a Deacon under the Pastoral leadership of Reverend Myris L. Bell. He worked faithfully as a financial secretary, Sunday School Teacher, did repairs around the church and helped keep the grass cut and later hauled off all trash after dinners.
Deacon Bell and Sister Mary married on July 25, 1997. She served as a faithful wife until his passing.
We celebrate today, many cherish moments: his wife, Mrs. Mary Joyce Bell of Roanoke, Alabama; two (2) sons: Leroy Bell, Jr. and Victor Lamar Bell; and two (2) daughters: Kathy Neely (Willie) and Kimberley Bell all of Atlanta, Georgia; one (1) step-son, David Henderson of Roanoke, Alabama; two (2) special grandsons: Tavin and Lance Henderson; a sister, Mrs. Rubye H. Trammell of Roanoke, Alabama; four (4) brothers-in-law: Charlie Earnest Henderson (Eris) of Franklin, Georgia, Bobby Henderson (Virginia), Randy Henderson (Sandra), and Carl Dennis Henderson (Velma) all of Roanoke, Alabama; three (3) sisters-in-law: Jessie R. Carlisle and Johnnie Mae Henderson both of Roanoke, Alabama, and Marsha Culberson of Atlanta, Georgia; and , a special niece who could always put a smile on his face, Jaida Baker; a large number of grandchildren and great grandchildren; and a host of nephews, nieces, other loving relatives and friends.
Updated information available at www.clarkmemorial.biz
Acknowledgments
The family of the late Deacon Leroy Bell takes this opportunity to thank each and every one who thought about us during the sickness and passing of our beloved husband, father, and grandfather.
A very speacial expression of thanks is extended to Countryside Hospice, for all services provided.
Every kind deed, prayer, phone call, food and flowers has let us know that you also cared: Thank you so much. May the Lord bless each of you. You are invited to dine with us in the dining hall of Macedonia immediately following the interment.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Deacon Leroy Bell, please visit our floral store.