James "Jimmy" L Bell Jr.

Jimmy had a very typical small town upbringing. Everyone knew everyone. He used to say he couldn't get away with anything. If he had participated in something his parents would not approve of, they would know about it before he got home.

In 1963, he graduated from Pell City High School and later attended Sneed Jr. College. Jimmy was very intelligent, but learning from a book was not the way for him, so he dropped out and went home. His parents told him he was not going to live at home and not work. The war in Vietnam was amping up, so he decided to join the Navy in 1965. Jimmy had many responsibilities on the ship. The most important was ship communications and other duties relating to that. In 1969, he was recommended for nuclear power school, but he would have to re-enlist for two years. So, that year, Jimmy and the Navy parted ways. While in the Navy he received an education that prepared him for his life's work.

In 1969, Jimmy accepted a job offer from Western Electric. He worked for them for five years. In 1984 AT&T had to divest from the Bell companies which included Western Electric. He was offered a job with AT&T which he accepted. Jimmy moved up the chain of command quickly. In 1999 he was offered another promotion, but we would have to move to Atlanta. Jimmy decided to retire from AT&T.

In 1971, Jimmy met the women that would become his life partner. In 1972, Jimmy and Yvonne started their journey in life together. In 1978, they welcomed their most precious son, Eric Scott Bell.

Jimmy and Eric had a deep love for the Auburn Tigers. Some of his life's happiest times were spent at the loveliest villages on the plains. Jimmy and Eric would load up Jimmy's RV for tailgating several days before a game on Saturday. They met many wonderful people because of Eric's engaging personality. Eric was born with Down Syndrome and people loved him and were drawn to him.

In 2019, Jimmy responded to the wooing of the Holy Spirit and back into a relationship with the Heavenly Father. Jimmy rediscovered his love for the things of God and started attending services with Yvonne at Victory Church.

February of 2025, Jimmy started not feeling well and quickly became bedridden. He entered the hospital March 4th and continued to decline. March 17th, Jimmy joined Eric in Heaven.

Jimmy is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Yvonne Bell; sister, Vicki (Dana) Merrymon; Sister-n-laws, Shirley Skeivelas, Vivian Morrison, Janet (David) Gonzales; numerous nephews, nieces and great nieces and great nephews.

A visitation for Jimmy will be held Thursday, March 20, 2025 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Victory Christian Church, 154 Victory Dr, Pell City, AL 35125, followed by a memorial service at 1:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rainbow Omega (100 Hope Drive - Eastaboga, AL 36260)