Obituary of Paul Stanley Bell

Paul Stanley Bell the ninth child of George W and Nannie Johnson Bell was born July 10, 1924 in Powhatan, VA. After a long valiant battle of declining health he transitioned to glory at his beloved home on December 10, 2010. Paul attended Mohemenco School and graduated from Pocahontas High School in June 1943. Two weeks later on June 17thhe was inducted in the US Army. After a tour of duty during World War II; that included New Guinea and the Philippines he was honorably discharged on February 28,1946. Paul was the recipient of two Bronze Stars. Baptized at an early age, Paul was a life long member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church where he gave countless hours of free labor on the building and grounds and served as a Trustee for many years. Paul remained active in the church until his health no longer permitted. On March 26, 1949 he married Florine Branch they were blessed to share sixty-one memorable years. Their collaboration included years of Civil Rights struggles and community activism. While his efforts included sacrifice such as loss of job, he endured. Paul was Chairman of the NAACP's Voter Registration Committee and its Voter Education Committee. Active on the national, state and local level, he was a marshal at the historic March on Washington and marched in Chicago, Atlanta and at the Give Us the Ballot March in Washington. Paul was the first African-American to serve on the Powhatan County School Board and the County's Planning Commission; he also served as an Election Official. A gifted carpenter, in the family tradition, he built his own home and worked with private contractors before being employed by the Veteran's Administration. Paul retired as a supervisor after a noteworthy career. Awards include Outstanding Federal Employee of the Year in 1975 and Distinguished Federal Servant in Trades and Craft by the Federal Executive Association of Central Virginia. Paul loved the outdoors and fishing and hunting with his siblings, family and friends. In a family that loved baseball, he was a lifelong San Francisco Giants fan in the Bell-Harris- Morris-Taylor Giants vs Dodgers summer ritual. Paul and Florine annually traveled to ballgames across the US and canada. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sibling; Helen, Irvin, Alma, Leah, Ivory, Josephine, Elizabeth, Velon, and Webster. He leaves to cherish fond memories; his loving wife of 61 years, Florine B. Bell, devoted brother, George E. Bell (Bessie Bernice) of Petersburg, VA., Goddaughter, Melody B. Harris and her children Whitney and Ryan Harris of Midlothian, Va., two sisters-in-law, Willie Sue Bell and Ruth Bell of Powhatan, Va; three aunts-in-law, Marian Miller of New Haven, Ct., Marjorie Keyes (Ralph) and Tessie Bates (Floyd) of Powhatan, VA, a host of nieces, nephews, devoted among them are Karen, Chandra, Darrick, and Leon Bell, Barbara Bailey (Jimmy), Jean Monroe (Maurice) and many cousins and friends.