Carl Lester Bell age 78 of Yawkey, West Virginia, passed on to his heavenly home on March 15, 2011, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born September 30, 1932, the son of the late Carl Bell and Marie Elswick Bell. Lester was also preceded in death by sisters Alta Faye Harmon, Rosalie Shirley and an infant sibling.
Survivors include his wife of over 57 years Shirley June McClure Bell, a sister Anna Mae Roberts, his only son, Mark Edward Bell (Vicki), and four grandchildren: Meghan, Meredith, Brendan and Joshua Bell.
Lester graduated from Duval High School in 1950 and married his lifetime companion shortly thereafter. He served his country in the United States Army. He retired from Columbia Gas Transmission in 1985 as a right-of-way agent with 30 plus years of service. Upon retiring, Lester never stopped working. He was always helping those in need and his many neighbors and friends. In the late 1980’s he was called by God into the ministry and pastored the Porter Fork, Beech Grove and Joe’s Creek Baptist Churches. He and his lovely wife have served the Lord unselfishly over the past years. However, due to illness, Lester had to give up his great gift of preaching God’s word. He was a member of the Porter Fork Baptist Church.
Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Saturday March 19 at Curry Funeral Home 2097 Childress Road Alum Creek with the Rev. Oshel Bell and Rev. Richard Ruby officiating. Burial will follow at Orchard Hill Memory Gardens, Yawkey, West Virginia. Family and friends will gather from 6 to 8 pm Friday at the funeral home. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to a special friend, C. W. “Clifford” Griffith and the staff of Hospice of Charleston/Boone County Division, as well as extended family, friends and neighbors who have been so supportive during Lester’s illness.
