JAMES BELL, JR.
December 1, 1930 – August 4, 2010
Deacon James Bell, Jr. departed this life on August 4, 2010 at Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC. He was born December 1, 1930 in Lewiston Woodville, North Carolina, the third child of the late James Henry Bell Sr., and the late Mary Keemer Bell. He was predeceased by his sister, Lorraine Norfleet.
James attended Kelford Elementary School and graduated from John B. Board High School in Lewiston, North Carolina in 1950. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1951 and received an Honorable Discharge after four years of service.
James retired from the federal government in 1985 after more than 30 years of service as a supervisor of maintenance for the General Service Administration (GSA).
James became a member of First Rock Baptist Church, Washington DC, in XXXX. He was a dedicated member and servant of God. James was a proud member of the Deacon Board and sang with the Senior Choir and the Male Chorus. He was an active patriot for Christ until he was called Home.
James and the former Hazel Lee Johnson were united in marriage in 1952 and were parted by her death in 2003 after 51 years of matrimony. He was blessed with six children; Cynthia D. Frazier (deceased) (Cornelius), Bernadette Bell-Harris, Renay Foon, Regina Azu, Michael D. Bell (Anna Maria) and Frederick Lee (deceased) (Joyce).
James was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle. He was warm, loving, firm and straightforward. A father figure, mentor, bulwark, and a friend to everyone he came into contact. His legacy will continue on with his children; grandchildren, LaTanya Clemencia, Ebony Clemencia, Kishia Clemencia, Wayne Harris (Tenille), Darrell G. Bell (Kim), Pateh Foon, Ayesha Foon, Shernita Foon, Lamar Harris, and Michael Bell, Jr.; and his nine great-grandchildren. Grandson, Lavan M. Bell, preceded him in death.
James also leaves, to celebrate his life and legacy, three sisters; Clara M. Wood, Mildred Taylor, and Clorette Hayes. He is survived by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.
Poem of Life
Life is but a stopping place, a pause in what’s to be,
A resting place along the road, to sweet eternity.
We all have different journeys, different paths along the way,
We all were meant to learn some things, but never meant to stay…
Our destination is a place, far greater than we know.
For some the journey’s quicker, for some the journey’s slow.
And when the journey finally ends, we’ll claim a great reward,
And find an everlasting peace, Together with the Lord.
Unknown
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