Lewis Bell

Lewis L. Bell, 80, of Larue, went home to be with His Lord on Monday, November 26, 2007. Services will be held on Thursday, November 29, 2007 at 1:30 PM at Stewart Family Funeral Home with Bro. Randal Brown, Dr. Johnny Beard and Bro. Jeff Godwin officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery in Tyler under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. He was preceded in death by his little son, Lewis ?Bubba? Bell, 3 ½ years old in 1954, his parents, a brother Hardy Bell, killed in the Vietnam War, and two sisters, Audrey Wilson and Kathryn Hudson. He was born July 26, 1927 in Paris, Texas to the late Martha Jane Westbrook Bell & Luther Bell. Lewis served in the Navy for three years. Upon discharge, he came to Tyler to attend Tyler Commercial College. In January 1948, he met the love of his life, Melba Ballard. They were married in August 1948 and shared life for 59 years. He is survived by his wife, Melba, daughters and sons-in-law, Carla and Hal Florence, Athens, Texas, Bobbie and Randy Featherston, Tyler, Texas and Beckie and Steve Knox of Larue, Texas. His grandchildren are Hollie Easterling, Bo Florence, Drew Wilcox, Ashley Mitchum, Amanda Lowdermilk and Casey Lowdermilk. He is also survived by nine great grandchildren. Lewis worked for Gulf States-United Telephone Company and Subsidiaries for 33 years. He retired as vice-president in 1983. While with the telephone company, he was also Director of compiling rate cases for the Public Utilities Commission of Texas. In 1954, Lewis was called into the ministry to preach. He served as pastor for Gateway Baptist, Copeland Baptist and Hillcrest Baptist churches. He served as interim for Prairie Creek Baptist, Harris Creek Baptist, Sharon Baptist, Martin Springs Baptist, Midway Baptist and Bethel Baptist. He also did volunteer work for the IRS for several years. During retirement, he and his wife loved woodworking for their home as well as gardening. He helped build houses for those in need and was always excited about ?building? for God while working with other church builders. Lewis had a passion of discipling and teaching young couples the love of God as well as raising his three daughters that he was so proud of. His family was very precious to him. Among those that knew him there was the humor found in ?Don?t ask Bro. Bell a question or you will get the whole load?. He loved talking about the Lord & sharing God?s word. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 6:00-8:00 PM at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Hwy., Tyler, Texas 75703. Memorials in honor of Lewis Bell may be made to Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, Texas, 75701. For more information or to express condolences, visit www.stewartfamilyfuneral.com.

Lewis Bell

July 26, 1927 - November 26, 2007