James Martin Bell

James Martin Bell, age 93, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday January 11, 2026.  He was born in Gaston County, son of the late Marcus Bell and Henrietta Cash Bell.  In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 73 years, Alene Wilson Bell; his siblings: Carl Bell, Ned Bell, Ted Bell, Bettie McMahan, Nancy Carpenter, Lib Bell, and Alma Stewart; his son Jefferey Bell, and his grandson Lathan Bell.   

He will be remembered as a devout Christian man who loved his family dearly.  He was a kind, loving, and gentle man, but also had a strong sense of humor and loved to tell jokes.  James proudly served his country in the U.S. Army.  He spent his career in textiles and retired from Pharr Yarns as a supervisor.  After retirement, he loved his job at Keith Hawthorne Ford as a delivery driver.  He was a longtime active member of Berea Baptist Church for 27 years.

Those left to cherish his memory include his grandchildren: Amber Bell Carpenter, and Ariel Bell Botts; great grandchildren: Haiden Posey, Landen Posey, Leland Botts, and Lukas Posey; his nieces Ann Allen and Marcia Lyons, as well as his nephews James Bell and Eddie Allen.  

A service to celebrate his life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday January 15, 2026 at Berea Baptist Church.  The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service on Thursday also at the Church.  Burial will follow the funeral service in the Church cemetery.

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