James Edward Bell Sr.

Mr. James Edward Bell Sr. passed away peacefully among family Tuesday, July 12, 2022.

He was born in 1936 to Mary Sanford Bell and George E. Bell near Reform, Ala.; the family moved to Wolf Lake, Miss., when he was a child.

He graduated from Louise High School, then served his country with the Army Security Agency in Herzogenaurach, Germany. With the help of the GI Bill, he attained his associate’s degree at Hinds Junior College.

While there, he met his one and only, Patricia Fanning, and they started their life together with a sweet little wedding in Yazoo City, where Patty’s Uncle Clinton gave them $20 for groceries, knowing they had spent all their money on the wedding.

He began as an instrument tech at Mississippi Chemical Corporation in 1960, where he was nicknamed “Tweety Bird.” Darla, Debra and Jimmy arrived in quick succession, and he worked hard, often freelancing in addition to his full-time job, but also making time to maintain the HVAC system at St. John’s Methodist Church, which the family attended. He also served as a board member at Benton Academy and was a proud Grand Master Mason of the Yazoo Lodge.

He retired from MCC in 2000, and he and Patty built a home in Ellijay. They were active members of Ellijay UMC, and helped develop Faith, Hope & Charity Recycle Store into a significant community asset. He was especially proud of the store’s Scholarship Fund.

They enjoyed traveling with Don and Nancy Burkhalter, and visited often with grandchildren Casey (Blake), Lindsay (Nicholas), Beau (Amanda), Molly Carol (Christian), and Bradley (Kara). When annual Herzo Base reunions began in 1999, he and Patty enjoyed every one of them until she became ill with cancer in 2018. He and Patty were happily married 60 years.

He moved back to Mississippi in 2022 to enjoy his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren: Caden, Rafe, Mary Austin, Nora and Ella. He is preceded in death by his parents George E. and Mary S. Bell, wife Patricia Fanning Bell, and his brother Jack Bell.

He is survived by Darla Harlow (Michael), of Boyle, Miss., Debra Bell, of Sandy Springs, and Jimmy Bell (Angie), of Dulac, La.; brothers, Dan Bell, Ross Bell and Larry Bell; and many nieces and nephews.

Interment was in Glenwood Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers were Michael Harlow, Nicholas Runnels, Blake Andrews, Beau Bell, Christian Johnston and Bradley Bell.

Donations can be made to Faith, Hope & Charity Recycle Store Scholarship Fund, 449 Industrial Blvd., Ellijay, GA 30540, or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Stricklin-King Funeral Home, Yazoo City, Miss., was in charge of arrangements.