Ripley Funeral Home
Lifelong resident of Walnut, Wallace Lane Bell, 91, dedicated husband, father, grandfather and friend, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 24, 2023 at Magnolia Regional Health Center in Corinth.
Funeral Services honoring the life of Mr. Bell will be at 4 PM Sunday, March 26 at Harmony Baptist Church in Walnut with Bro. Ron Mitchell and Bro. Randy Buse officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Mr. Bell was born February 17, 1932 in Walnut, the son of the late Archie, Sr and Lavern Proctor Bell. He was a 1951 graduate of Walnut High School, continued his education at Northeast Mississippi Community College and Mississippi State University where he earned his Bachelor of Education Degree. He furthered his education at the University of Mississippi earning his Master's Degree in Administration.
On September 6, 1955, Mr. Bell was drafted into the United States Army where he proudly served for 2 years. Most of his duty was serving overseas in Germany as a Gunnery Sergeant. After his service, he returned to Walnut and on September 21, 1958, he married his beloved wife, the former Joyce Furtick of Booneville who preceded him in death. Together for 52 years, Mr. and Mrs. Bell lived most of their life in his childhood home in Walnut raising their three children.
A valued educator in the North Tippah School System, Mr. Bell educated, coached and implemented administration duties for over 35 years before retiring. After retirement, he was elected Mayor of Walnut where he served for 12 years and was also Trustee of the North-Tippah Benton Medical Association.
A member of Harmony Baptist Church, Mr. Bell always made sure the God and church was the most important part of family life serving as Deacon for both Walnut Baptist Church and Harmony Baptist Church. He enjoyed cheering for Mississippi State sports, watching wrestling and rabbit hunting. He and his wife loved traveling to new places and watching their much adored grandchildren play sports.
Blessed with a loving family, Mr. Bell is survived by two daughters, Vickie Alexander and Phyllis Ray (Gary), both of Walnut, one son, Tim Bell (Lisa) of Michie, TN, two brothers, Archie, Jr and Fred Bell (Lola), one sister, Nora Pickens, all of Walnut, seven grandchildren , nineteen great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by three sisters, Mary Jean Hodum, Dorthy Lee Meeks and Jo Ruth Reed.
The family request that memorials be directed to the Gideons, PO Box 4, Ripley, MS 38663.
The Ripley Funeral Home invites you to share memories with the Bell Family at ripleyfuneralhome.com.
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