Fred Earl Bell

August 29, 1936 – June 15, 2025

A generous person gives silently without the desire of praise or reward. On Sunday, June 15, Fred Bell, with his wife and daughter by his side, received his eternal reward as he peacefully entered the gates of heaven.

Visitation will be Wednesday, June 18, 2025, from 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM at Lowndes Funeral Home, Columbus, MS.  A celebration of life service will follow at 2:00 PM at the funeral home with Brother Charlie Whitney officiating. A special eulogy will be given by Pete Bowen highlighting Fred's life of giving. Lowndes Funeral Home will be entrusted with the arrangements.

Fred was born in Starkville, MS on August 29, 1936, to the late Lee Roy Bell and Nancy Addie Bell. He was a devoted member and Deacon at Grace Baptist Church. From a very early age he worked in various occupations. From car hopping in his teen years to retail management, he always worked in the public and loved dealing with people.  Most remember him from the Kent's Dollar Store and Shainberg's in the Gateway

Shopping Center in the mid 1960's and Ruth's in his years prior to retirement. Retail was definitely in his blood.

When he wasn't working, he was volunteering in his community. He was instrumental in organizing the Lowndes County Council on Aging in 1971 and served as Treasurer for 25 years. He also helped organize Helping Hands, an organization that helps people who are in need of food, shelter, and other assistance. In 1992, he helped organize Golden Triangle Crime Stoppers and served as chairman in 1994 and served as treasurer of the organization until his retirement due to health reasons in 2020. He served on the Board or Advisory Board of many organizations including Columbus-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce, the ACT Center, FEMA, the Salvation Army, and the Auxiliary Board of Baptist Memorial Hospital.

Civitan International was another big part of his volunteer life. He served as Lt. Governor of the Mississippi North District 3 years in a row. In 2005 he served as Governor of the Mississippi Northern District of Civitan which included over 19 clubs.  In 1989 he was selected as Civitan of the Year from the Columbus Civitan Club then in 1990 he was selected as Civitan of the Year from the Mississippi Northern District. In 2004 he received the Distinguished Governors Award from Civitan International.

Other honors and awards he received were the Distinguished Service Award from both Governor Cliff Finch and Governor Bill Allain, the Book of Golden Deeds from the Columbus Exchange Club in 1985, Volunteer of the Year of the United Way of Lowndes County in 1987, Volunteer of the Year from the Columbus-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce in 1988, Man of the Year from the Columbus Business and Professional Women's Club in 1989, the North Mississippi Advertising Citizenship Federation Award in 1989, Volunteer of the Year from the Retired Senior Volunteer Program in 2001, President Bush's Distinguished Call to Service Award in 2004, and the Woodman of the World Outstanding Citizen Award in 2008.

In 1989, Fred threw his hat in the political arena. He served eight years as a member of the Columbus City Council representing Ward 3 from 1989 until 1997. He served as Vice Mayor for the City of Columbus from June of 1989 until September of 1993. He represented his constituents in Ward 3 with great pride and never liked being referred to as a politician.

Fred is survived by his devoted wife of almost 68 years, Fay Christian Bell, his daughter Petie Bell (Wayne Jones), his grandson Derick Hatcher, and a sister, Pat Burkey (Barry) from Fort Walton, Florida along with numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Brent Bell; his daughter in law Brenda Bell; and 3 brothers, Roy Jr., Jesse, and Butch Bell.

Special thanks to Baptist Hospice for their excellent care of Fred during his illness.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Grace Baptist Church, 708 Airline Road, Columbus, MS 39702 or St. Jude's Research Hospital at www.stjude.org/donate