Sid was the youngest of 11 children of Oliver and Violet Bell, who came to America from Scotland to build a better life for their family. Sid is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Donna, daughters & sons-in-law Leanne and Cary Sheffield of Powder Springs, GA and Debbie and Steve Schofield of Dahlonega, GA, and 3 grandchildren, Courtney, Faith, and Luke. He is also survived by sisters Mary Szitas of New Kensington, PA, Doris (Jack) Hunter of Strasburg, PA, Josie (Bob) Ferguson of Lakeland, FL, and Astaire Carnes of Applegate, Michigan.
Sid was an electrical engineer who began working for Reliance Electric Co in Ashtabula, Ohio in 1964 and moved to Athens, Georgia in 1969 to help open the new Reliance motor plant. He was highly regarded throughout the company. He presented many technical papers and was awarded first place at the annual meeting of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers in 1997. His name is on 7 U.S. Patents, and he received many other awards and recognition at Reliance as well. The highlight of his career was being named one of 6 Engineers of the Year out of 3800 engineers company-wide in 1999.
Sid was multi-talented, analytical, and loved a challenge. He could build and fix just about anything, and was always learning something new, including wood-working, home remodeling, making golf clubs, putting together computers, building furniture, and much more. Sid also had a passion for helping and ministering to people. He worked in prison ministry for over 25 years, mentored an at-risk youth for 10 years, went on countless early responder mission trips, was a lay speaker in the United Methodist church, and was always willing to use his talents to help people in need.
Sid was a fixture at Chapelwood United Methodist church for 40 years, handling audio-visual for the services, teaching Sunday school, serving on leadership committees, cooking his famous Sid-burgers, acting as Men’s club Treasurer for many years, and building and fixing anything and everything at the church.
Sid’s last wish was to be able to help a 12 year old boy with a fatal form of muscular dystrophy to get a much needed handicap van. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Chapelwood UMC in Sid’s honor for Chase Howard, 100 Janice Dr. Athens, GA 30606.
