Ralph Bell

Mr. Ralph Bedford Bell, 85, passed away Friday morning at the VA Medical Center in Jackson, MS. Visitation will be Sunday, 2-5 p.m. at Chancellor Funeral Home in Florence and 9 a.m. at Wesleyanna UMC prior to the 10 a.m. service. Interment will follow at Lakewood Memorial Park.\ \ Ralph was born in Star, MS on May 21, 1923. He attended Star High School where he graduated Valedictorian of his class. He went on to attend college at Millsaps. During his second year, World War II began, and he enlisted in the Army Air Corp as a pilot. He was then sent to University of Pittsburg for nine months for national training. He completed his training and became a pilot of a B24 Bomber. He and his crew had orders on hold to go to England, but the war ended before they took off. He then returned to Millsaps to receive his degree in Management. Soon afterwards he was fortunate enough to marry his long-time sweetheart, Kitty Odom. She became his "sweetheart" in the first grade and continued to be until they were married on June 8, 1947.\ \ While in Jackson, he helped establish Wesley Church on West Northside Drive. He was very active in the church and taught an adult Sunday school class. He started working at Lewis Wilson Men's Clothing Store on Capital Street. He spent three weeks in New York learning to buy and merchandize men's furnishings. He served as chairman of the downtown clothing stores and later became chairman of the National Clothing Company. With this job, he had to travel many times to New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, New Orleans, and other places. He was a member of the Satoma Club. He retired from Lewis Wilson's store after 14 years as manager and buyer. He then went on to open Ralph Bell's Clothing on Capital Street.\ \ Ralph and his moved to Star into the Odom home in 1963. They joined Wesleyanna United Methodist Church. He took an active part in his church and continued to teach an adult Sunday school class until a few years ago. After he retired from the clothing business, he sold real estate and raised cattle on his farm. His hobbies included raising a large garden, spending time with his family, and traveling with his wife.\ \ He was preceded in death by his parents, Allen Bell and Ada Bridges Bell, his daughter, Barbara Lynn Bell. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Kitty Odom Bell, his son, Ralph Allen Bell, his granddaughter, Brandy Rene' Bell, his grandson Allen Kyle Bell all of Star, and a great grandson, Cayden Hill Carter of Byram.\ \ The family wants to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at the VA Hospital for their kind services during his short stay there. \ \ In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Wesleyanna United Methodist Church.