Dr. Rod L. Bell, Sr.

Dr. Rod L. Bell, Sr., age 82, of Oakwood entered the gates of Heaven Sunday, October 2, 2016 in Gainesville, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center with his family.

Memorial Services will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, October 7, 2016 at Maranatha Baptist Church of Oakwood GA.  Pastor Rod L. Bell, Jr., Dr. Johnny Daniels, Dr. Bob Jones, III, Dr. John Monroe, Dr. John Vaughn will officiate.  The family will receive friends 12:00 – 2:00 p.m., Friday, October 7, 2016 at Maranatha Baptist Church.  Interment will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday, October 8, 2016 at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Greenville, South Carolina.

Dr. Bell was born August 12, 1934 to the late Raymond Earl & Sybil Faye Bell in Ball Fork, West Virginia and was gloriously saved on January 19, 1957.  Dr. Bell acquired his ministerial training from Bob Jones University and later became the founding pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church of Virginia Beach, Virginia, where he served for 33 years. He served as President of the Fundamental Baptist Fellowship for over 25 years.  Dr. Bell’s life was marked with investment in the lives of others and impacting another generation for Christ.  He served on many boards and preached all around the globe.  Dr. Bell was heavily involved in mission works from India, Zimbabwe, and throughout the West Indies. 

Dr. Bell is survived by his wife of  63 years, Lenore Maureen Bell; daughter, Nikita Dawn Frederick of Portsmouth, Virginia; sons & daughters-in-law, Timothy Paul & Kimberly Bell of Gainesville and Pastor Rod L. & Shari K. Bell, Jr. of Oakwood; 7 grandchildren; 1 great-granddaughter; and brother, Jimmy Ray Bell of Virginia Beach, Virginia.  He was preceded in death by daughter, Terri Lynn Bell.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Maranatha Missions, 5135 McEver Road, Oakwood, GA  30566, (770) 532-6501.

Memorial Park South Funeral Home, 4121 Falcon Parkway, Flowery Branch, Georgia  30542 is in charge of arrangements.  Send on-line condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.