J-Comegoing Service fo r M r. Jam es JViCforcC'BeCC December 5,1941 JeBruary 19,2009 Saturday, February 28, 2009 (gdbert Lam buth Cbapeb Taine CoCCege 1235 i5tfl Street ^Augusta, Cjeorgia 30901 'Rev. C D. Roberts, Tastor, Officiating In the early morning of Thursday, February 19, 2009, God reached into his garden and plucked the flower of James Wilford Bell. James was born on December 5,1941, in Bessemer, AL, to the late York and Annie Mae Stanton Bell, Jr. He was the fourth of seven siblings and was preceded in death by his brothers Toney Lee and Clarence, his wife, Joann and his granddaughter Kurtrina Bell. At a very young age James gave his life to Christ and became a member of Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church. He was a graduate of Dunbar High School in Bessemer and upon graduation received a full music scholarship to Florida A&M University (FAMU) in Tallahassee where he participated in the Marching 100 Band and graduated in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science in Music. After graduating, James began his teaching career at Jasper High School in Ridgeland, SC. where he met and married the late Joann Jones Bell. He also served 3 years in the United States Army 327th Marching Band and was honorably discharged in 1972. He returned to teaching and completed his career as a Band Director in the Burke County School System, which included the Burke County High School and Blakeney Elementary School in Waynesboro, GA. Before retiring in 1997, he was honored as an outstanding educator in the county. Added to his other accolades, he was also a member of the Epsilon Psi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and the Augusta Chorale. - / 1 * After his retirement, James became an active member of Elim Baptist Church in Augusta, GA and began performing with the R. L. Boyd Chorus, Mass Choir, Sanctuary Choir and Youth Choir. A dedicated warrior to his profession, Mr. Bell, affectionately called at Elim, continued serving the Lord, at Elim and with Elim on program at other churches, even during his illness. Mr. Jam es 'Sug' W ilford B ell leaves to cherish his memories three sons, Kenneth James (Trina) Bell, of Knoxville, TN, Curtis Wilford Bell and Kelvin Christopher Bell of Augusta; beloved grandchildren, Devin Bell and Desmond Smith of Augusta, three sisters, Mrs. Georgia Mae Griffin and Mrs. Alberta Phillips of Detroit, MI, Mrs. Martha Ree Bell (Bernard) McShane of Bessemer, AL; one brother, Mr. Ed Bell of Bessemer, AL; God daughter, Nicole Ingram of Augusta; a special niece, Patricia Sims of Atlanta, and a very special friend Ms. Cleo Ghant of Augusta, along with a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws and friends. James was deeply loved by his family, friends and the community and will be greatly missed. 1 ORDER OF S E R V I C E is P resid in g .................................................................. Minister Jarvis Ellis Elim Baptist Church d IS P rocessional............................................................ .................Musicians in Song Selection....... "W alk in the Light"... R. L. Boyd Mass Choir 3f Elim Baptist Church Invocation......................................... Reverend C. D. Roberts, Pastor Elim Baptist Church b (t P 3 5 o b Instrumental Tribute..............Kelvin Bell & Mrs. Doris Robertson "Just A Closer Walk with Thee" Arr. Mr. James Bell Scriptures Old Testament........................................................... Rev. T. L. Franklin Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church New Testam ent................................................................Rev. Don Long Pierce Grove Baptist Church ^ 55 b r Resolutions.......Elim Baptist Church............ Mrs. Ann N. Johnson Augusta Chorale..................Dr. Phyllis Anderson Silent Reading of the Obituary soft music Acknowledgments.......................................... Mrs. Marlene W atkins Song Selection............."It's All O v er"......... R. L. Boyd Mass Choir P . D- y I) Eulogy........................................................... Rev. C. D. Roberts, Pastor d Elim Baptist Church a, if Recessional............"G oin Up Y ond er"........ R. L. Boyd Mass Choir 11 Interm ent................................................ Mt. Olive Memorial Gardens Repast Elim Baptist Church Active Fall Bearers Charles Carson-Neighbor Zettis Wilson-Family Friend Men of the Augusta Chorale Honorary Pall Bearers Deacons of Elim Baptist Church Flower Bearers Women of the Augusta Chorale PARTING WORDS 'To m y sons A n d to aCCthose whose Cives I have touch D o n 't w orry about me, don't he s a d A n d d o n 't have any sorrow as I p a ss along To he w ith the L o r d I 'CChe alright. M r. Jam es "Sug " IVitforcC'BeCC JlcknowCecCgements l e are m ost g r a te fu l to (godfor the g ifts o ffrien d s hike you who have been so th o u g h tfu l andgenerous, yourjrrayers, cads, words o f encouragem ent, flow ers a n d the m any acts o f kindness, both seen a n d unseen, have truly g iven us strength a n d in spiration during this tim e. Thank you a n d m ay (god continue to hCess each a n d every one o f you. The fa m ily . - Trograms-Edm Baptist ChurchEL A . V ent Jhstoric Undertaking 'Establishment 930 V 'Antignac Street, Augusta, (JA In charge