Clarence Russell Bell

Clarence Russell Bell
Clarence Russell Bell, 98, was born in Pensacola, Florida to Eva Maud Eyers Bell and Clarence Rodolphus Bell on June 29, 1908 and passed away on Monday, June 11, 2007 at Christus St. Elizabeth?s Hospital.
While working in Pensacola as a machinist for the L & N Railroad from 1926 through 1931, the Great Depression of 1929 doused his lifelong dream of becoming a train engineer. On November 11, 1933, Clarence went to work for the Rainwater Coca-Cola franchise in Pensacola as a ?jack of all trades?.
On August 11, 1937, he married Mary Katherine Walker and soon after moved to the Rainwater?s Beaumont Coca Cola plant as Assistant Production Manager. In 1940, he was sent to the Anniston, Alabama plant to fill in for the Production Manager there. While in Anniston, his only child, Charlotte Ann Bell was born. An opportunity to return to Beaumont as Production Manager arose and the family moved back to Beaumont in 1944.
He retired from Beaumont Coca Cola after 40 years of service in 1972 and soon accepted the position of Building Superintendent at First United Methodist Church. After 15 years and at the age of 77, he finally retired from active employment. His love of the railroad and his determination to perfect each and everything he involved himself in occupied his remaining years.
At age 93, he entered Calder Woods Assisted Living Facility and remained there until his death. His gift of gab, his sense humor and his determination to remain as independent as possible sustained him for the almost five years of his residency there.
As a longtime member of First United Methodist Church, Clarence was member of the Questers Sunday School Class and Usher Chairman. He was also a member of the Founder Lions Club of Beaumont. As the husband of a Lamar University professor, he was one of the University?s most loyal and avid supporters.
He is preceded in death by his parents and by his bride of 65 years, Mary Katherine Walker Bell. He is survived by his daughter, Charlotte Ann Bell Layman and her husband, Charles, of Tallahassee, Florida. He is also survived by two grandsons, Charles Russell Layman of Tallahassee, Florida, Sheridan William Layman and his wife, Susan, of Richmond, Virginia, and one great granddaughter, Sabrina Elizabeth Layman.
Funeral services will be held at First United Methodist Church on Thursday, June 14, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. with a reception following in Rothwell Hall. Interment at St. John?s Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida will be on Saturday, June 16, 2007 at 10:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church at 701 Calder, Beaumont, TX, 77701, or to your favorite charity.