Lonnie Bell, 80, died Sunday, January 17, 2016 at the North MS Medical Center – Hospice Unit. He was born December 15, 1935 in Union County to Lewis and Annie Sue Chism Bell. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Tupelo. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and he worked for the Coca-Cola Bottling Company for 39 years, retiring as their Sales Manager. He was an avid outdoorsman and especially loved bird hunting. He enjoyed watching Ole Miss and Alabama football, listening to Country and Gospel music and traveling, but his greatest joy was being with his family.
Services will be 2 PM Tuesday at Lee Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Roger Smith and Bro. Ricky Young officiating. Burial will be in Lee Memorial Park. Lee Memorial Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.
He is survived by his wife, Jean Bell of Tupelo; his children, Jan Eason of Tupelo, Cheryl McDaniel of Tupelo, Tim Bell (Lisa) of Destin, FL, Tracey Lindsey of Tupelo and Lonnie Bell of Tupelo; two brothers, Johnny Bell of Oxford and Larry Bell (Jane) of Monticello; three grandchildren, Stephanie Hunt (Bryan), Justin McDaniel (Ashley) and Brittney Harris all of Tupelo; four great-grandchildren, Logan, Blaine, Jaycee and Eli.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Craig Bell; a son-in-law, Joseph Eason; one brother, Robert Bell and a sister, Shirley Williams.
Pallbearers will be Donnie Guyton, Bud Gilmore, Leon Clay, Ricky Baggett, James Smith and Lynn Rogers. Honorary Pallbearers will be the nurses of NMMC Hospice and his Sunday School Class.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to NMMC Hospice or First Baptist Church, Tupelo.
Visitation will be 10 – 2 today. For online condolences and guest registry, visit www.leememorialonline.com.
