John Ellis Bell
Clinton
John Ellis "Buddy" Bell, 66, died Sunday, May 9, 2004, at home. Visitation is 10 a.m. today at Wright & Ferguson funeral home in Clinton. Services are 11 a.m. today at the funeral home with burial to follow at 3:30 p.m. in Lucern Church of God Cemetery in Newton County.
Mr. Bell grew up in Clinton and attended Clinton schools from first through twelfth grade. He later attended Hinds Junior College and Millsaps College. Mr. Bell served with the U.S. Air Force in both Japan and Korea for nine years. He is retired from IBM/Eastman Kodak. For many years he played Santa for various charities and organizations throughout the Southeast, including Mistletoe Marketplace, Olde Tyme Commissary, and Barnes Studio in Ruston, La. Throughout his life he was an active volunteer with Boy Scouts of America, the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department, and the children's ministry at Crossroads of Life Church. Mr. Bell is preceded in death by daughter, Annette, and his brother, William Jefferson Bell.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Mrs. Ruby Faye Vance Bell and sons Geoffrey Bell of Crescent Springs, Ky. and Damon Bell; daughter-in-law, Raecheal Bell, and grandson William Bell of Charlotte, N.C.
Memorials may be made to Young Children's Ministry, c/o Crossroads of Life Church, 6775 Siwell Road, Jackson, MS 39272.
Clarion-Ledger
(Jackson, Mississippi)
12 May 2004, Wed • Page 14
Buddy was a beloved husband, father, and grandpa who was from Clinton Mississippi. He married Ruby Faye Vance on May 9th, 1964 and together they had three children, enjoying forty long and good years of marriage. Their daughter Annette sadly passed away the day she was born, barely a month after his father's sudden passing. His two sons survived him, and one had a grandson. John served his country in the US Air Force working as an aircraft refueler for many years, then aboard B-50 Superfortresses, then as a Radarman. He also had a typewriter shop and was an E.M.T. with the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department, and worked with IBM and Eastman Kodak for very many years. He was an active member of Capitol City Church of God for quite some time and other churches as well. Due to his long beard and joyful disposition, as well as a love of children, Buddy often dressed up as and played Santa during the Christmas season. He loved riding motorcycles, when in the USAF he used to race around Okinawa with his service buddies, and drove a 1962 Triumph until 1996; he was a member of the All Japan Motorcycle Club. Japanese culture and history was a lifelong interest of his. He loved Mississippi State football and sports in general, and one of his most favorite television shows was M*A*S*H which he would watch with his sons, forming memories. Unfortunately he passed away from a sudden heart attack on May 9th, 2004, his and Ruby's fortieth wedding anniversary. He will forever be remembered and loved, both by those who knew him well and those who did not. Fond memories abound and shall not be forgotten.
Clinton
John Ellis "Buddy" Bell, 66, died Sunday, May 9, 2004, at home. Visitation is 10 a.m. today at Wright & Ferguson funeral home in Clinton. Services are 11 a.m. today at the funeral home with burial to follow at 3:30 p.m. in Lucern Church of God Cemetery in Newton County.
Mr. Bell grew up in Clinton and attended Clinton schools from first through twelfth grade. He later attended Hinds Junior College and Millsaps College. Mr. Bell served with the U.S. Air Force in both Japan and Korea for nine years. He is retired from IBM/Eastman Kodak. For many years he played Santa for various charities and organizations throughout the Southeast, including Mistletoe Marketplace, Olde Tyme Commissary, and Barnes Studio in Ruston, La. Throughout his life he was an active volunteer with Boy Scouts of America, the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department, and the children's ministry at Crossroads of Life Church. Mr. Bell is preceded in death by daughter, Annette, and his brother, William Jefferson Bell.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Mrs. Ruby Faye Vance Bell and sons Geoffrey Bell of Crescent Springs, Ky. and Damon Bell; daughter-in-law, Raecheal Bell, and grandson William Bell of Charlotte, N.C.
Memorials may be made to Young Children's Ministry, c/o Crossroads of Life Church, 6775 Siwell Road, Jackson, MS 39272.
Clarion-Ledger
(Jackson, Mississippi)
12 May 2004, Wed • Page 14
Buddy was a beloved husband, father, and grandpa who was from Clinton Mississippi. He married Ruby Faye Vance on May 9th, 1964 and together they had three children, enjoying forty long and good years of marriage. Their daughter Annette sadly passed away the day she was born, barely a month after his father's sudden passing. His two sons survived him, and one had a grandson. John served his country in the US Air Force working as an aircraft refueler for many years, then aboard B-50 Superfortresses, then as a Radarman. He also had a typewriter shop and was an E.M.T. with the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department, and worked with IBM and Eastman Kodak for very many years. He was an active member of Capitol City Church of God for quite some time and other churches as well. Due to his long beard and joyful disposition, as well as a love of children, Buddy often dressed up as and played Santa during the Christmas season. He loved riding motorcycles, when in the USAF he used to race around Okinawa with his service buddies, and drove a 1962 Triumph until 1996; he was a member of the All Japan Motorcycle Club. Japanese culture and history was a lifelong interest of his. He loved Mississippi State football and sports in general, and one of his most favorite television shows was M*A*S*H which he would watch with his sons, forming memories. Unfortunately he passed away from a sudden heart attack on May 9th, 2004, his and Ruby's fortieth wedding anniversary. He will forever be remembered and loved, both by those who knew him well and those who did not. Fond memories abound and shall not be forgotten.
John Ellis Bell
Clinton
John Ellis "Buddy" Bell, 66, died Sunday, May 9, 2004, at home. Visitation is 10 a.m. today at Wright & Ferguson funeral home in Clinton. Services are 11 a.m. today at the funeral home with burial to follow at 3:30 p.m. in Lucern Church of God Cemetery in Newton County.
Mr. Bell grew up in Clinton and attended Clinton schools from first through twelfth grade. He later attended Hinds Junior College and Millsaps College. Mr. Bell served with the U.S. Air Force in both Japan and Korea for nine years. He is retired from IBM/Eastman Kodak. For many years he played Santa for various charities and organizations throughout the Southeast, including Mistletoe Marketplace, Olde Tyme Commissary, and Barnes Studio in Ruston, La. Throughout his life he was an active volunteer with Boy Scouts of America, the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department, and the children's ministry at Crossroads of Life Church. Mr. Bell is preceded in death by daughter, Annette, and his brother, William Jefferson Bell.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Mrs. Ruby Faye Vance Bell and sons Geoffrey Bell of Crescent Springs, Ky. and Damon Bell; daughter-in-law, Raecheal Bell, and grandson William Bell of Charlotte, N.C.
Memorials may be made to Young Children's Ministry, c/o Crossroads of Life Church, 6775 Siwell Road, Jackson, MS 39272.
Clarion-Ledger
(Jackson, Mississippi)
12 May 2004, Wed • Page 14
Buddy was a beloved husband, father, and grandpa who was from Clinton Mississippi. He married Ruby Faye Vance on May 9th, 1964 and together they had three children, enjoying forty long and good years of marriage. Their daughter Annette sadly passed away the day she was born, barely a month after his father's sudden passing. His two sons survived him, and one had a grandson. John served his country in the US Air Force working as an aircraft refueler for many years, then aboard B-50 Superfortresses, then as a Radarman. He also had a typewriter shop and was an E.M.T. with the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department, and worked with IBM and Eastman Kodak for very many years. He was an active member of Capitol City Church of God for quite some time and other churches as well. Due to his long beard and joyful disposition, as well as a love of children, Buddy often dressed up as and played Santa during the Christmas season. He loved riding motorcycles, when in the USAF he used to race around Okinawa with his service buddies, and drove a 1962 Triumph until 1996; he was a member of the All Japan Motorcycle Club. Japanese culture and history was a lifelong interest of his. He loved Mississippi State football and sports in general, and one of his most favorite television shows was M*A*S*H which he would watch with his sons, forming memories. Unfortunately he passed away from a sudden heart attack on May 9th, 2004, his and Ruby's fortieth wedding anniversary. He will forever be remembered and loved, both by those who knew him well and those who did not. Fond memories abound and shall not be forgotten.
Clinton
John Ellis "Buddy" Bell, 66, died Sunday, May 9, 2004, at home. Visitation is 10 a.m. today at Wright & Ferguson funeral home in Clinton. Services are 11 a.m. today at the funeral home with burial to follow at 3:30 p.m. in Lucern Church of God Cemetery in Newton County.
Mr. Bell grew up in Clinton and attended Clinton schools from first through twelfth grade. He later attended Hinds Junior College and Millsaps College. Mr. Bell served with the U.S. Air Force in both Japan and Korea for nine years. He is retired from IBM/Eastman Kodak. For many years he played Santa for various charities and organizations throughout the Southeast, including Mistletoe Marketplace, Olde Tyme Commissary, and Barnes Studio in Ruston, La. Throughout his life he was an active volunteer with Boy Scouts of America, the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department, and the children's ministry at Crossroads of Life Church. Mr. Bell is preceded in death by daughter, Annette, and his brother, William Jefferson Bell.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Mrs. Ruby Faye Vance Bell and sons Geoffrey Bell of Crescent Springs, Ky. and Damon Bell; daughter-in-law, Raecheal Bell, and grandson William Bell of Charlotte, N.C.
Memorials may be made to Young Children's Ministry, c/o Crossroads of Life Church, 6775 Siwell Road, Jackson, MS 39272.
Clarion-Ledger
(Jackson, Mississippi)
12 May 2004, Wed • Page 14
Buddy was a beloved husband, father, and grandpa who was from Clinton Mississippi. He married Ruby Faye Vance on May 9th, 1964 and together they had three children, enjoying forty long and good years of marriage. Their daughter Annette sadly passed away the day she was born, barely a month after his father's sudden passing. His two sons survived him, and one had a grandson. John served his country in the US Air Force working as an aircraft refueler for many years, then aboard B-50 Superfortresses, then as a Radarman. He also had a typewriter shop and was an E.M.T. with the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department, and worked with IBM and Eastman Kodak for very many years. He was an active member of Capitol City Church of God for quite some time and other churches as well. Due to his long beard and joyful disposition, as well as a love of children, Buddy often dressed up as and played Santa during the Christmas season. He loved riding motorcycles, when in the USAF he used to race around Okinawa with his service buddies, and drove a 1962 Triumph until 1996; he was a member of the All Japan Motorcycle Club. Japanese culture and history was a lifelong interest of his. He loved Mississippi State football and sports in general, and one of his most favorite television shows was M*A*S*H which he would watch with his sons, forming memories. Unfortunately he passed away from a sudden heart attack on May 9th, 2004, his and Ruby's fortieth wedding anniversary. He will forever be remembered and loved, both by those who knew him well and those who did not. Fond memories abound and shall not be forgotten.
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