Grissom-Clark Funeral Home | Atlanta, GA

Obituary For Dr. Fred William Bell, Jr.

Dr. Fred William Bell, Jr., 74, of East Point died Tuesday, October 2, 2012. He was the father of Dr. Andre' Bell and the brother-in-law of the Rev. Dr. Harry S. Wright, Sr.

Funeral rites for Dr. Fred William Bell, Jr. of East Point will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday October 6, 2012 at Central United Methodist Church, 501-7 Mitchell St., S.W., Atlanta. The Rev. Byron E. Thomas, senior pastor, officiant and eulogist.

The family will receive friends at 9:00 Saturday morning as the body lies in-state two hours prior to the service. Entombment Westview Abbey Garden.

Fred Williams Bell, Jr. was the second child and only son born to Fred Williams Bell, Sr. and Joseph Cook Bell in Soperton, Georgia June 12, 1938. He and his sister, Chequeta, attended Claver Catholic School in Macon, Georgia. The family was active in Macon’s First Congregational Church. As a Boy Scouts of America executive, Fred W. Bell, Sr. and his family relocated to Florence, South Carolina in the mid-1940’s where they became active in Cumberland United Methodist Church.

Fred attended Wilson High School in Florence and, at age 16, was admitted to Atlanta’s Morehouse College where he majored in biology. As Alpha Phi Alpha pledges at Morehouse, Fred W. Bell, Jr. and Maynard H. Jackson, Jr. were “line brothers.” Fred W. Bell, Jr. was a 1959 graduate of Morehouse College.

After graduating from Morehouse, Fred enrolled in the masters’ degree program at Howard University but later transferred to Golden Gate University where he earned his doctorate. Shortly thereafter, he was commissioned as officer in the Public Health Service as he served in the United States Coast Guard in Bethel, Alaska. Dr. Bell was commissioned as an officer of the Public Health Service while serving in the U.S. Coast Guard. For more than 30 years, he served as chief of medical administration at various Veterans Administration Medical Centers.

Thereafter, Billings, Montana; El Paso, Texas; Houston, Texas (where Andre’ was born in 1968); North Little Rock, Arkansas; Chicago, Illinois; Cincinnati, Ohio; Long Beach, California; Dallas Texas; Jackson, Mississippi, were called home before Fred retired in Atlanta. Fred W. Bell’s interests included reading, travelling gardening, and bowling. As well he enjoyed volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and numerous veterans’ advocacy activities.

From 1964 to 1991, Fred W. Bell, Jr. and the former Jean Jordan were married. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred W. Bell Sr. and Josephine Cook Bell and his sister, Chequeta Bell Wright. Fred William Bell, Jr. died at his home October 2, 2012. Those who cherish his memory include his son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Andre E. Bell and Dr. Yolanda Denise Keller-Bell; grandsons, Xavier W. Bell and Justin W. Bell; former wife, Jean J. Bell; brother-in-law, Rev. Dr. Harry S. Wright, Sr.; nieces, Deborah C. Wright, Harryetta Wright Hill, and Schawannah J. Wright; nephew, Rev. Harry S. Wright, Jr.; several cousins, friends, and colleagues.

Guest Book

YOU ALL ARE PART OF MY EXTENDED FAMILY...FRED WAS "MY DEAR FRIEND AND TRAVELING COMPANION". PLEASE ACCEPT MY BELATED WORDS OF EXPRESSION, IN THAT I HAVE BEEN OUT OF TOWN, LOST MY PHONE AND HAVE BEEN LEAVING MANY MESSAGES ON FRED'S PHONE (AND THEY HAVE BEEN GOING TO HIS VOICE MAIL). I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN SOMETHING WAS WRONG. HE LIVED A FULL LIFE! HIS FAMILY WAS HIS LIFE AND HELPING OTHERS WAS HIS MISSION. WORDS CANNOT EXPLAIN THE VOID IN MY HEART AND THOSE WHO KNEW AND LOVED HIM! KNOW THAT WHEN YOU SEE YOURSELVES, HIS FRIENDS AND ANYTHING THAT HE WAS ASSOCIATED WITH IS A TESTAMONY OF HIS LIFE..I WAS TRULY BLESSED BY GETTING TO KNOW YOU, HIS FAMILY AND THAT PART OF HIS LIFE...I THANK GOD FOR FRED BELL!! LYNN HILLIARD

- mary lynn hilliard

I will truly miss my friend. He left my house two weeks ago, I will treaure the time we spent together. Dr.Fred will be missed as a true southern gentleman and a serious flirt. He had all my friends feel they were so special.I thank the Lord for having such a friend over the years. Who will do my honey dos next year? Family recognize the love he leaves, sorry for our lost. Estella L.Murray Fred's friend from Belton, TX.

- Estella Murray

As you grieve I pray your loving memories will bring you comfort. Sincere condolences for your loss. Isaiah 25:8.

- K. Carney

To extend sympathy and let you know that others are thinking of you. All the beautiful memories gathered through the years are ours to keep forever. May God continue to bless and keep you. From a friend and colleague, Bernice Perry Perkins

- BERNICE PERRY PERKINS

Andre and Yolanda, please know that I have kept you in prayer and thought. Having lost both my parents, I know how deep your loss is. I regret that I will not be able to be with you on Saturday, as my sister is coming into town from VA and I must be here to receive her. However, Farris will be able to represent both of us. I hope that despite your grief, you will be able to focus on the wonderful memories of your dad. Miss you and the boys.... Much love, Erin J

- Erin Johnson

I will miss the visits, banter, enlightenment, and overall delightful presence of my friend, fellow alumnus, fraternity brother, patient and friend. I am so grateful to Andre for introducing me to Dr. Bell and for allowing me to become a part of his life. I look forward to visiting again one day in glory.

- Farris Johnson