Jon E. Bell, age 79 of Smyrna went to be with his Heavenly Father Thursday, March 1, 2018. He was born in Ducktown, Tennessee, in 1939 to Earl and Nora Shields Bell. He was the youngest Eagle Scout in the Cherokee Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America (Tennessee). Jon graduated from East Tennessee State University in 1960, and while there was the president of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and the Speech/Debate club. He moved to Atlanta in 1960. One of his first jobs was with Yancey Brothers, and he sold tractors for them for 15 years. During his sales travels, he often stopped to help stranded motorists, pick up a stray dog, or help a turtle safely cross the highway. He retired after working for Southeastern Culvert for 15 years. A strong Christian man, Jon was a devoted member of Northside Drive Baptist Church for more than 52 years serving as a deacon and on numerous committees over the years. He enjoyed dove hunting and was an avid boating enthusiast, spending many joyful times on Georgia lakes boating with his beloved family. Jon was a kind, thoughtful, and caring man and will be sorely missed by all who knew him. He is predeceased by his parents, Earl and Nora Bell. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Lela Janette (Harwood), daughter Julie (Roy) Melton, son Jon Paul (J.P.) Bell, sister Rita Hamby, niece Lisa (Keith) Heard, great-niece Mindy (Jared) Loudermilk, and nephew Sean (Donna) Hamby, numerous Tennessee nieces and nephews and loving care giving neighbors Rick and Rosalie Willett.
The memorial service will be at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 7th in the Sanctuary of Northside Drive Baptist Church, Atlanta, with Dr. James Lamkin, Dr. Karen Massey and Daniel Headrick officiating. Reception in the Fellowship Hall will follow the service. Interment will follow the reception at Arlington Memorial Park, 201 Mt. Vernon Hwy, NW, Sandy Springs. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 on Tuesday, March 6th at H. M. Patterson & Son Arlington Chapel, 173 Allen Rd, NE, Sandy Springs. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Northside Drive Baptist Church, 3100 Northside Drive, NW, Atlanta, GA 30305 and Cobb County Humane Society.
