Charles Lee Bell, Sr.

Service Details

A celebration of Charles’s life and homegoing will be held on Friday, July 29, 2022, 11:00am, at Greater Grace Temple C.O.G.I.C., 522 N. Memorial Drive.  Visitation will be from 10:00am until the time of the service.

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Charles Lee Bell Sr. was the second oldest of the nine children born to Mattie-Lou and Charlie Bell. He was born on November 22, 1949, in St. Louis, MO. Years later his mother and father moved the family to Decatur, Illinois.

He lived several houses down the street from Deloris Mann. At that time, she was living on her own in a house down the street from her parents with her twin children. She was walking one day and caught his attention. He kept on pursuing her and asked her to come here him sing in a band with his brothers. Although, she was raised with strict upbringing in the church. She went to the club for the first time to hear him sing. They kept dating.

On March 6, 1970, Charles Lee Bell took Deloris Mann to be his wife. He not only took her but embraced her beautiful twins Carlita (Lisa) and Carlos Mann as well. From their union they had five more children. (Deloris Jean, Marilyn, Rochelle, Charlene, and Charles Jr. Bell twins) Even though they already had a full house, they raised her twin nieces Anita and Bonita (deceased) and nephew Antonio Mann as their own.

In 1972, the Bells moved their young family to Racine, Wisconsin. Years later, his wife Deloris, was invited to a church revival by one of her sisters. She went and rededicated her life to the Lord. She wanted Charles to be saved also. She had people praying with her concerning that. They invited him to a New Year’s Eve’s church service. He said he was going to be bringing it in at the club. At some point, he ended up coming to the service and gave his life to Lord.

He stopped smoking cigarettes, drinking, and clubbing. They joined Grace Temple COGIC under the pastorate of the late Elder Jettie Cornett. This was the same church where he gave his life to Christ. He joined the choir and led many songs. A few of them were “Trouble Don’t Last Always, Who’s on the Lord side, and Yes, I’m a Believer.”  He went from singing in the club to singing in the choir! He was faithful and dedicated. In his older years, due to his health, he could no longer sing in the choir and attend church regularly.

Charles always had a smile. He was nice, friendly, and humble man. He enjoyed cooking, fishing, fixing up cars, and traveling. He also liked watching TV. Old western movies were his favorite. He and his wife both loved cooking. Charles was like a chef. They catered food for many events. They prepared big meals during the Holiday’s. It was not only enough to feed their family but an army. Pastors, family, and friends of the family would come over during that time. Everyone was even able to take plenty of to go plates home.

He endured many battles with his health. He suffered from diabetes, strokes, and was receiving dialysis treatments until his death. In 2019 he loss wife and in 2021 his daughter Deloris Jean. He lived three years after his wife’s death. July 10, 2022, he died in his home on his wife’s birthday. He must have wanted to celebrate her birthday with her.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Deloris Bell; his daughter, Deloris Jean Bell; parents; Charlie and Mattie-Lou Bell; one sister, Pearlie (Bell) Broadnax; two brothers, Henry Bell; John Bell; one sister-in-law and one brother-in-law.

Charles Bell leaves an abundance of loving memories to his children, Carlita (Samuel) Gray, Carlos (Frenise) Mann, Marilyn Manning, Rochelle Bell, Charlene Bell, Charles Bell Jr.; one niece and nephew whom he raised, Anita and Antonio Mann; sisters, Annette Cotton, Charlie-Mae Bell, Vinnie (Charles) Peet, Darlene Bell-Horton and brother Freeman Bell and one Uncle, Ozell Taylor; four sisters-in-law, 1 brother-in-law; 13 grandchildren, 6 greatgrandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

You will be greatly missed!

We Love you!!