o + Essk "Curtis" Bell of tie 5883 Highway 155 North Stockbridge, GA 30281
v_>" m When mmorrow starts without me, please try to understand, That Jesus came and called my name and took me by the hand. And when I walked through heaven s gates, I felt so much at home, When God looked down and smiled at me, from His golden throne. He said, "This is eternity and all I ve promised you." Today your life on earth is past and here it starts anew. I promise no tomorrows, but today will always last, And since each day s the same, there s no longing for the past. You have been faithful, so trusting and true, Though there were times you did some things you knew you should n t do. But you have been forgiven, and now at last you re free, "So won t you take my hand and share My life with me?" So when tomorrow starts without me, Don t think we re far apart, For every time you think of me, I m right here in
Order of Service Prelude Medley Processional A Selection from the Choir "Hold onto God s Unchanging Hand" Scripture Reading Old Testament... Stephon Zachery New Testament... Beulah Grove Baptist Church Augusta, Ga. Prayer... Pastor Ruth Smith Solo... Ms. CarolLamar Expressions Arthur Williams... Friend Deborah Burns... Niece Roscoe Williams... Friend Augustus Thurman... Southern Gentlemen Augusta, Ga. Dax Langley... Former Heritage HS Student Marvin Rhodes... TAY, Inc. Morris Brown College Hall of Fame Deacon Calvin Bradley... Light of the World Family Solo... Judy Sims : <t Silent Reading of the Obiturary \^ : Eulogy Archbishop Jimmie L. Smith Alter Call Acknowledgements... Elder Ann Avery The Benedition Recessional Interment Kennedy Memorial Gardens 2500 River Road Ellemuood, Georgia Repass after Interment >f Light of the World Christian Tabernacle Fellowship Hall
KA Man Who Left His Mark" On Monday, October 2, 2006, Essix Curtis Bell, calmly and serenely set out to sea for that inevitable journey that we all must take someday. He crossed the boundary from life to death as gracefully as he lived his sixtynine years on earth. While on this side of the veil, he made his mark in the places where it counts the most; in his family, his work and in his favorite place, church. He was an extremely supportive husband, father, and grandfather never ceasing in his untiring support for his wife, children, granddaughters, grandson, and other kindreds. Curtis saw to it that they were always protected, sheltered and nurtured. With a determined spirit, he saw to it that they were always safe, sound and secure. Curtis befriended and was befriended by many, many people across the length and breath of this country. His gregarious and engaging personality was his passport to many friends in the school and the community. Curtis Bell had an enormous impact on a countless number of students in his 32 years of service to the school children of Rockdale County. He put himself into a helping position by first preparing himself through the education process. He earned a high school diploma from Lucy Laney High School in Augusta, Ga., in 1955. His educational accomplishments at Laney were balanced by a stellar athletic career, participating in sports for four years. For three of those four years, Curtis earned letters in baseball and basketball. Noted for his senior year basketball performance, he averaged 24 points per game, earning him honors on the All-Tournament and All-State teams. Curtis s basketball accomplishments and achievements at Morris Brown College were equally distinguished. He made the starting team for the Wolverines four years in a row, served as captain of the team, and earned All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference recognition for two years. The educational and athletic experiences that Curtis gained at Lucy Craft Laney High School and Morris Brown College were used to promote the
development and well-being of a countless number of youngsters. He coached basketball at the Gwinnett County Hooper Renwick High School, the Rockdale County J. P. Carr High School, and the Rockdale County J. P. Carr Junior High School. Curtis registered a first by becoming the first African-American boys head basketball coach at the Rockdale County Heritage High School in Conyers, Ga. This school, from its very inception, has been regarded as one of the most architecturally and academically unique schools in the United States of America. Curtis established a stellar record at Heritage, both on and off the court. Because of his kind and engaging manner, he was adored and a favorite of all the students. The highlight of Curtis s basketball career might have come when he came within one mere game of coaching the Patriots to the state basketball championship. His team was defeated in the last three minutes of the semifinals by the eventual tournament winner, Southwest Macon High School. Curtis notched over 300 wins while coaching in Rockdale County. Curtis attended the Light of the World Church in Stockbridge, Georgia. He maintained to the very end that Light of the World shed a beam that illuminated a special path of light for him and his family. Born to the union of John Wesley Bell and Etta Mae Tillman who both proceeded him in death. Curtis had one son, Damon Leo Bell who also proceeded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 28 years Gwendonlyn Bell, two daughters Djana Bell and Damese Bell, two sisters Shirley (Joe) Samuels, Jr. and Mary H. Stoney of Augusta, Ga.; three grandchildren Elyse, Erin and Sebastian; a father-in-law Henry L. Geddis, sister-in-law Anice (Michael) Carr and brother-in-law Lynnard Geddis of Charleston, S. Carolina. A huge host of neices, nephews, cousins, other relatives and lasting friends.
ye a man who transendedallofhis accomplishments... a friend and a father... a man who never met a stranger... AfcflJ a magnetic persona... too many good times to count..."
ff a legacy of unmatched acheivement... magnificent father... my wonderful husband at
Vaughn Cooper Torre Dozart Marty Green Maurice Jones Larry Samuels Byron Williams Tyron Williams Charles Bush Monroe Bush Linsey Carpenter Jimmy Carter James Curtis John Davit Howard Glover Leamon Greer Virgil Hodges Robert Mack Michael Samuels Tony Stroud Jerry Williams Roscoe Williams Light of the World Christian Tabernacle Greeters The Family of Curtis Bell acknowledges with heartfelt thanks, all the kindnesses of words and deeds. Each expression is gratefully appreciated. Your kind gestures have been a testament of Curtis life and genuine examples of God s love for us all. o I FINAL ARRANGEMENTS ENTRUSTED TO: g GREGORY B. LEVETT & SONS FUNERAL HOME, INC. fc_ 4347 FLAT SHOALS PARKWAY DECATVR, GA 30034 404-241-5656 a> ~" SOUTH DEKALB CHAPEL