Rev. Dr. George Emory Bell, Sr. age 80, of Gainesville, or as he was known by family and friends "Emory", died Wednesday, August 20, 2014 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center following injuries received from an automobile accident Tuesday morning.
Emory was a native to Gainesville. He was born September 8, 1933 to the late George and Essie Peck Bell. Dr. Bell graduated from Lyman Hall High School. He received a diploma from Truett-McConnell College, a B.S. degree in Biology and Chemistry from North Georgia College, a M.Ed. Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Georgia. He was inducted into the academic honor society of Phi Kappa Phi. He received a D. Min degree in Pastoral Counseling from Luther Rice Seminary and University.
Dr. Bell was an all-around athlete in high school winning the 9th district high school tennis championship three years and the state championship as a senior. After graduating from high school, he signed a professional baseball contract with the Boston Braves.
Dr. Bell was employed as a Public Health Sanitarian in Hall County, a Rehabilitation Counselor in the young offender program at Alto Rehabilitation Center. He was a founding director of the Rehabilitation Center now known as RING. He was employed as the administrator of Health District IV and II. He was ordained as a deacon at Lakewood Baptist and ordained as a minister at Blackshear Place Baptist Church. He served as pastor of several churches in the north and central Georgia and Senior Adult Minister at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. He taught counseling, psychology and other studies at Gwinnett Hall Baptist College. He was a member at Chicopee Baptist Church.
In addition to his parents, Dr. Bell is preceded in death by his first wife of 49 years; Shirley Anne Wiggins Bell, his second wife of 16 months; Willeen Strickland Cash, sisters; Gladys Fain and Lois Hamilton, brothers; Everet Bell, Ernest Bell and Edward Bell.
Survivors include his loving son and daughter-in-law; George Emory Bell, Jr. and his wife Kelly of Flowery Branch, granddaughters; Hannah Elizabeth Bell and Kayley Elyse Bell, both of Flowery Branch, great nephew, Chris Smith of Gainesville; two step-children, Phil Strickland of Alto and Sharon Chambers of Commerce and other relatives and numerous loving friends.
Funeral Services are scheduled for 11:00 am Saturday, August 23, 2014 in the Chapel of Little & Davenport Funeral Home. Rev. Dr. Stephen Hart will be officiating. Interment will follow in Hillside Memorial Gardens Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday, August 22nd, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Funeral Home.
Please send online condolences to www.littledavenport.com and click on the link provided.
Little & Davenport Funeral Home, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, GA 30501 is in charge of arrangements.
