Mr. John B. Bell

Mr. John B. Bell, age 79 of Stuart, Virginia, left his earthly home and went to his heavenly home to be with the Lord on Sunday, September 7, 2014. John was preceded in death by his parents, Clerk Bell and Georgia Arnett Bell. He was also preceded in death by an infant sister, Helen Louise Bell; two other sisters, Frances Bell Mays and Jean Bell Belton; one brother, Bob C. Bell; a nephew, Robert R. Mays, Jr.; brothers-in-law, Robert R. Mays, Sr. and Randolph Belton; and a sister-in-law, Christine Lawrence Bell.
John graduated from Logan High School in Logan, West Virginia in 1953. He was a varsity basketball player for three years for the Logan Wildcats. He played the trumpet or the French horn in the Marching High School band. In 1954, John was employed by Appalachian Power Company. He was transferred to Stuart, Virginia from Logan, West Virginia in 1959. He retired from AEP with 42 years of service in 1996. John was a member of Stuart Baptist Church for 47 years where he served as a Sunday School teacher of the junior boys class and a substitute teacher for a couples class. He served as a deacon and was on many committees of the church. John sang in the choir from 1959 through 2006. In June, 2006, John became a charter member of the newly formed Southern Baptist church named Grace Baptist Church of Stuart, Virginia. He served as a deacon and was an active member of a couples Sunday School class and a member of the church choir. John was awarded Deacon Emeritus in 2010 by Grace Baptist Church.
John is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Florence (Flo) Paul Bell of the home; their children, Sherry Jean Bell of Charlottte, North Carolina, Tim K. Bell (Carolyn) of Newport, Virginia and Shawn Bell Lester (Mark) of Richmond, Virginia; two grandchildren, Kelli Bell Sanchez (Robert) of Louisville, Kentucky and Kory Keaton Bell; a great-granddaughter, Kacee Grace Sanchez of Louisville, Kentucky; nieces, Jennifer Gore (Claude) of Ona, West Virginia, LoAnna Paul Lacey (Rob) of Kingsport, Tennessee and Cecilia Mays of Holden, West Virginia; nephews, Dr. Rod Mays (Debbie) of Greenville, South Carolina and George Belton (Tina) of Nashville, Tennessee; a brother-in-law, Sam F. Paul (Janet) of Edmond, West Virginia; and a very special cousin, Vernon (Buddy) Ferrell (Jean) of Logan, West Virginia. John is also survived by many great-nieces and great-nephews.
Funeral services will be held at Grace Baptist Church on Friday, September 12, 2014 at 11:30 a.m. with Pastor Mark Elkins, Dr. Rod Mays and Rev. Ted Thisse officiating. Interment will follow in Patrick Memorial Gardens at 20937 Jeb Stuart Hwy., Stuart, Virginia 24171. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the church, and at other times at the home on 668 Woodland Drive, Stuart, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Grace Baptist Church Building Fund, 14087 Jeb Stuart Hwy., P.O. Box 1101, Stuart, Virginia 24171. Moody Funeral Home in Stuart is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.moodyfuneralservices.com.

Funeral Friday at 11:30 a.m. at Grace Baptist Church
Burial in Patrick Memorial Gardens
Visitation beginning 10:30 a.m. Friday at the church