Thomaston City Councilman J. Ed Bell, 81, died at his residence early this morning.
Mr. Bell was born on December 31, 1929 in Fort Valley, Georgia. He later moved to Moultrie, Georgia where he graduated from Moultrie High School. For four years he served in the United States Navy including the Korean War. After being discharged from the Navy, he worked for General Motors while earning a degree from Georgia State University.
He then began his 33 year career as a “Good Neighbor” for State Farm serving as an agent, district manager, and agency director. He will always be known as the “State Farm man” for Thomaston and around the state in the State Farm community.
He was active in the Lion’s Club, Thomaston Upson Arts Council, Pyramid Investment Group, the Chamber of Commerce, a Boy Scout leader, Sunday School teacher, and as a member of the Thomaston City School Board. He served as a deacon of the First Baptist Church.
He began his career as a councilman for the city in 1997 where he still served at the time of his death. In 2009 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award for the Thomaston Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Bell is survived by his wife, Patricia Leonard Bell; three children, Dr. Richard “Dick” Bell and wife Angie of Stockbridge, Debbie Bradford and husband Roger of Muscle Shoals, AL, and Nancy McAbee and husband Walt of Concord. He leaves six grandsons who will proudly carry on his legacy, Rhett McAbee, Davis Bradford, Will Bell, Ben Bradford, Cooper Bell and Patrick McAbee. He also leaves one sister, Audrey DeMott, Moultrie and sister-in-law Connie Bell, Woodbridge, VA.
Memorials
First Baptist Church Bell Tower Fund, 208 South Church St., Thomaston, GA 30286, Thomaston Upson Arts Council, 118 South Church St., Thomaston, GA 30286, or the charity of your choice.
Visitations
Wednesday from 5:00 pm to 8:00pm at Pasley Fletcher Funeral Home
Thursday from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm on at First Baptist Church
Thursday at 4:45 pm following the service at First Baptist Church
Services
Thursday at 4:00 pm at First Baptist Church
Cemetery
South View Cemetery
Pasley-Fletcher Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Ed Bell was my Agency Director when I was appointed to be a manager in Atlanta GA in1998. His desire to do the right thing for the customer and his overwhelming work ethic has always been an inspiration to me in my 30 year career. My thoughts and prayers are with Pat and all the children and grandchildren. May God be with you all in this difficult time.
ReplyDeleteFrank Walker,
State Farm Agent