Luther Edward Bell Jr. was born April 20, 1937, in Yuma, Ariz., to Luther Edward Bell and Frances Iona Graham Bell. Luther grew up in Americus, Ga., where he graduated from Americus High School in 1955. During his childhood summers, he attended the Athens YMCA camp in Tallulah Falls, Ga. Luther would go on to serve his country in the Navy. He then continued his studies, graduating from Duke University, where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order. He would later earn an masyer’s of business administration from Portland State. Business afforded Luther the ability to travel not only the country but also the world. While living in Portland, Ore., Luther would meet the love of his life, Sandy. They would go on to spend the next 43 years together. Luther and Sandy raised their family in California, then Georgia, Ocean Isle Beach, N.C., then finally retiring to Desert Hot Springs, Calif. Luther was always an active member at his local church and more so in the community. He was a proud member of Gideons International.
Luther passed away on Wednesday, June 8, 2016, surrounded by his family. Luther is survived by his wife, Sandy Bell of Desert Hot Springs, Calif.; his four children, daughter Jordan Bell of Los Angeles, Calif., and sons Brad and Maggie Bell of Los Angeles, Calif., Jason Bell of Charlotte, N.C., and David Bell of Chapel Hill, N.C.; his grandsons Victor Bell and Cody Bell of Los Angeles, Calif.; his sister Betty Lee Scott of Americus, Ga.; his nieces Meg Usrey of Americus, Ga., Emily Odom of Buffton, Ga., Hope Henderson of Americus, Ga., and Leila Toms of Americus, Ga.; and nephew Gene Henderson of Sneads Ferry, N.C.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on June 25 at Lee Street Methodist Church in Americus Ga. Memorials may be given to Gideons International.