Tom is survived by his wife of 66 years, Thelma "Timmie" Bell, of Raleigh, NC; sons, Dr. Thomas Bell, Jr., and his wife Elaine, of Swansboro, NC; Thad Bell and his wife, Christine, of Billings, MT; Thatcher Bell, and his wife, Heather, of Chesterfield, MO; Thurston Bell; daughters, Thea Romberg, and her husband, Doug, of Maryville, TN; Thadria Garma, and her husband, Anthony, of Madisonville, LA; Thaura Jeffreys, and her husband, John, of Raleigh, NC; grandchildren, Brittany and Lawrence "Larry" Moye, of Raleigh, NC; Justin and Megan Bell of Wilmington, NC; Stefan and John Gegen-Romberg of Washington, DC; Sven Romberg of Manila, Philippines; Sevastian and Anna Romberg of Manila, Philippines; Stian and Dacey Romberg of Washington, DC; Max and Charlotte Garma of Covington, LA; Luka and Emily Garma of Hammond, LA; Isabelle and Joe Derose of Las Vegas, NV; David and Rachel Bell of Billings,MT; Katherine Bell of Billings, MT; Thomas Bell of Springfield, MO; Grace Bell of Chesterfield, MO; Gabriel Bell; great grandchildren, Lawrence "Lawson" Moye, Miller Moye, Edith "Edie" Bell, Ruby Bell, Lily Garma, Henry Garma, Theo Bell; sister, Stella Bell of Sedona, AZ; as well as numerous Cousins, Nieces and Nephews.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Bell was preceded in death by his daughter, Thann Bell of Atlanta, GA; and his granddaughter, Rachel Bell.
Tom and Timmie shared a devotion to Catholicism, and she describes Tom as her best friend and a wonderful father. Tom was a graduate of Beaumont High School. Tom earned a degree in Chemical Engineering from Lamar University, in the new field of the very first class of Chemical Engineers. He worked for E.I. Du Pont De Nemours and Company for 25 years after college, starting in Research and Development at the Sabine River facility in East Texas. DuPont benefitted from many of Tom's inventions throughout his career, which took him to Wilmington, DE and then Atlanta, GA. After his career with DuPont, Tom and Timmie operated KTI Travel Agency in Atlanta, GA for several years.
The Bell Family were founding members of All Saints Catholic Church in Dunwoody, GA where Tom was choir director for 24 years. Tom's ministry of music was very precious to him throughout his life. He was a gifted musician, playing Tuba in the Beaumont High School marching band, and String Bass in the orchestra. Tom played his String Bass throughout his life with a variety of Big Bands, orchestras, jazz trios and duos. Tom and Timmie retired to Fancy Gap, VA and then Clarkdale, AZ where they continued to find their music. Most recently, Tom and Timmie moved to Raleigh, NC to be closer to family, and found new family at Abbottswood Independent Living. All of his life Tom was exceptionally entertaining with stories and jokes enjoyed by those around him, including his hospice care givers. Tom's devotion, love, musical talent and robust sense of humor will be missed.
A Funeral Mass will be held on December 5, 2022 at 11:00am at All Saints Catholic Church, Dunwoody, GA. A reception will follow the inurnment.
In lieu of flowers, memorials is Mr. Bell's name may be sent to Amedisys Hospice, or to the Monastery of the Blessed Sacrament, please use the links below, under 'donations'.
If you would like to leave a favorite story / memory of Mr. Bell or a message of condolence for his family, you may do so below, within 'add a memory'.
DONATIONS
Amedisys Foundation3854 American Way, Suite A, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70816
The Monastery of the Blessed Sacrament29575 Middlebelt Road , Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334
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