LONNIE WILKINS BELL
Oct. 22, 1922-Oct. 29, 2011
Lonnie Wilkins Bell was born to George and Amanda Bell Oct. 22, 1922.
He married his first love, Virginia Keel, in June of 1948, and they had four daughters.
Being an active member of Rones Chapel United Methodist Church, Lonnie reared his family with a love for God. He was a Sunday school superintendent, Sunday school teacher and member of United Methodist Men.
Lonnie provided for his family by farming, painting and doing carpentry work -- becoming well known for his work in Duplin and Wayne counties.
After losing Virginia to cancer in 1988, he was blessed to marry his new love, Lucille Jones Outlaw, in March of 1990. Lonnie quickly became the father to two more daughters, and the grandfather of three more grandchildren.
Affectionately known as Pa Bell and known for cooking some of the best barbecue chicken in the area, he was the rock for a family of 26 children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Lonnie lived a life of integrity, and will be a missed cornerstone of the Rones Chapel area.
In addition to his first wife, Virginia, Lonnie was preceded in death by six brothers, Lem Bell, Willie Bell, Bennie Bell, Georgie Bell, Frankie Bell and Jesse Bell; a sister, Mary Bell Joyner; a stepdaughter, Gloria "Cookie" Wooten; a grandson, Woody Cherry; and a great-granddaughter, Gracie Carol Anderson.
In addition to his wife, Lucille, Lonnie is survived by his children, Eveline B. Cherry and husband, Marvin, of Eastover, Sheila B. Anderson and husband, Billy, of Mount Olive, Deborah B. Smith of Eastover and Amanda Bell of Rocky Mount; a stepdaughter, Retha Rogers and husband, Keith, of Roxboro; grandchildren, Henry "Hank" Cherry of Eastover, Bruce Anderson of Mount Olive, Will Anderson of Pikeville and Matt Smith of Erwin; stepgrandchildren, Carrie Garrity of Raleigh, Regina Poole of Huntersville and Andrew Rogers of Raleigh; great-grandchildren, Dustin Cherry of Raleigh, Cory Anderson, Josh Anderson and Justin Anderson all of Mount Olive, Christopher Anderson of Pikeville and Madison Smith and Matthew Smith both of Erwin; stepgrandchildren, Alayna Poole of Huntersville and Jackson Garrity of Raleigh.
A graveside service will be held Wednesday, Nov. 2, at 2 p.m. at Maplewood Cemetery in Mount Olive, with the Rev. Richard Hill and the Rev. David Whatley officiating.
Family members will greet friends Tuesday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. at Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home, and at other times will be at the home of Sheila and Billy Anderson.
In addition to flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to Rones Chapel United Methodist Church.
Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Bell family, and online condolences may be directed to www.shumate-faulk.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on October 31, 2011 1:49 PM