John Bell

John Joseph “Joe” Bell was born on September 18, 1935 and died on May 31, 2022 surrounded by loved ones.

He was born in Samantha, Alabama and raised in Tuscaloosa. He attended Tuscaloosa High School and the University of Alabama. After serving in the army, he returned to Tuscaloosa and worked in the insurance business for many years, and then became the owner of Frank Bell Construction Company. He loved the outdoors, especially hunting, wildlife photography, and working on his farm in Samantha. His greatest joys came from spending time with the love of his life of 61 years, his family, all of his pets and “grand-pets”, and his best friends of nearly 50 years. He was a devoted husband, daddy, granddaddy, and friend.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Bea Bell; brother and sister-in-law, Jerry and Pat Bell; father and mother-in-law, Marlin and Vilera Thrasher; sister-in-law and husband, Maureen and Al Marcks; brother-in-law and wife, Marlin and Kay Thrasher.

He is survived by his wife, Jerrie Thrasher Bell; daughters, Tahnya Bell and Beverly Bell Turner (Ron); sister-in-law, Bonnie Thrasher Lindsey; brothers-in-law, Gene Thrasher (Pam), Boyd Thrasher (Dody), Terry Thrasher (Petra), and Michael Thrasher (Renae); grandchildren, Tara Scogin (Will), Anna Beth Northington, Mackenzie Turner, and Joseph Northington; great grandson Henry Scogin; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Honorary pallbearers are Dr. James “Jim” Walburn, Mr. Hodo Strickland, Mr. Edwin “Eddy” Minges, Mr. Leon Sadler IV, Mr. Preston “Sonny” Burnette, and Mr. Al Pearson.

The family wishes to send a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Ross Vaughn, the staff at Crimson Village, Hospice of West Alabama, and especially his personal caretakers and staff at Aspire of West Alabama for their special love and care they provided for the past 3 years.

A visitation will be held at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, June 8, 2022 in the Music Hall at Christ Episcopal Church following a private service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Christ Episcopal Church, Hospice of West Alabama, or the charity of one’s choice.