John H Bell

children born to the late Dea. Emery Bell and Mrs. Leila Smith Bell. At an

early age, John attended Live Oak Baptist Church in Ailey, Georgia where he confessed

his faith in Christ. After graduation from high school, at Montgomery County High, in

Mount Vernon, GA, John moved to Atlanta, Georgia where he began employment with

Lennox Industries, Inc. and served as Manager of Office Services until his retirement.

He retired from Lennox after 26 years of employment, and became self-employed with

Bell’s Professional Services, Inc. and owned and operated his business until his health

began to fail. John was known for his love of order and cleanliness.

John was a political activist, working on campaigns and advocating for voter rights and

rights for marginalized citizens. He served as a Field Deputy Registrar for the Fulton

County voter registration office for 20 years, registering some 3000 new voters annually.

He was awarded a certificate of achievement by Max Cleland, former Secretary of State,

with commendations for registering 2495 first-time registered voters, on March 14, 1984.

He was awarded a certificate of appreciation by the Fulton County Board of Registrars

in recognition of his community interest in cooperation with the Fulton County

Neighborhood registration program, on January 25, 1985. He organized and served as

president of several community and political organizations, responsible for feeding

senior citizens, giving clothes and toys to needy families at Thanksgiving and

Christmas. He was recognized by 11-Alive, WXIA TV Atlanta, for his participation in

their 1983 Holiday Can-A-Thon in which over 200 tons of food was collected to feed

the needy in Georgia. He organized and led many groups on searches during Atlanta’s

missing and murdered children’s crises. He served as a Fulton County special deputy

sheriff for years. He served as President of the People in Action (PIA) organization and

Chairman of the Friends of Eaves Committee. His efforts contributed to many

successful political campaigns at the local and state level. John prided himself on being

able to affect positive outcomes by work behind the scenes, without the need for

attention and public accolades. He also served at least two, three-year terms in the 1980’s,

as a member of the Fulton County Forestry Board and more recently he served as

Treasurer of the Barge Road High-rise Resident Association for years.

John was a member and worshiped at the Atlanta International Christian Praise Center,

until his health failed. John traded time for eternity on March 8, 2026 at Harbor Grace

Hospice.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Emery and Leila Bell, his wife Amanda L. Bell

(2014), three sisters, Doris V. Eubanks (2005), Annie Laura Latimer (2020) and Selena M.

Bell (2025). He is survived by his daughter, Princess Freeman of Atlanta, GA, his

son Christopher Mitchell of Mount Vernon, GA; three grandchildren, Leondra

Freeman, Ava Freeman and Cardale Mitchell; four sisters: Emily Munroe, Julia Canty

(John), Wanda E. Bell, and Beverly Bell-Shambley (Stan); and four brothers, Willie Frank

Bell, Bartow Randolph Bell (Irma), Emery Argen Bell and James Henry Bell and a host of

nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.