Clyde Bell

James “Clyde” Bell, age 90, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on July 29, 2025. He was preceded in death by his wife Betty, his mother Sarah Inez, his father Richard M., his brother Donald, his brother Raybrn, his sister Frannie, his son Robert Bell, and his daughter Jenny Bell Pope. Clyde is survived by his son James C. Bell Jr. (Jimmy), his grandchildren Benjamin Bell (Cherelle), Sarah Bell, Rebecca Bell, Blake Bell, and Brady Pope (Lindsay), and his great-grandchildren Eli Bell, Nathan Bell, Maverick Pope, Emmy Roe Pope, and Alexander Bell. He is also survived by his long-term partner and friend, Georgeanne Hosemann, and the extended Hosemann family.

Clyde was a member of the Church of Christ and served at one time as a Deacon in the 77th Street congregation in Eastlake. He loved singing and leading songs in worship services. His love for singing led him to become a member of the Alabama Jubilee Chorus. He was a proud Alabama fan, a history buff, a closet comedian, and a lover of any and all kinds of food (except for liver and onions). If you were to ask him, he would say Football was his favorite season, but his favorite season of life was being a “Poppy” to his grandchildren.

Clyde was humble and calm, a quiet presence, and a blessing to all who knew him. He was raised on a farm in Oakman, AL where he was taught the value of hard work and the importance of living with a servant’s heart. His early years were spent growing into the kind man we all knew and loved, and his later years were spent putting others before himself without complaint. He was dedicated to those he loved, steadfast and reliable to those he worked with, and benevolent to all; a true southern gentleman.

Those of us left behind mourn his passing greatly, but we comfort ourselves with Revelation 21:4 “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

Clyde’s celebration of life will be held at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home and Gardens in Trussville on Saturday, August 2nd, with visitation from 11am-12pm, followed by a service in the chapel at 12pm, and a succeeding graveside service. Bill Hall will be officiating.