Myris L. Bell

(ROANOKE) The Rev. Myris L. Bell, 88, of Roanoke passed away Thursday, April 14, 2022, at Bethany House Hospice, Opelika.

The service was Monday, April 18, at St. Paul Baptist Church with burial at Skyview Memorial Gardens in the Welch community.

He was born in Randolph County to the late Robert and Lillian Watts Bell on March 26, 1934. Rev. Bell was a Randolph County Training School (RCTS) graduate. He worked for The Roanoke Leader, Handley Mills, West Point Pepperell, Wadley Mann, Butte Knit and Leslie Faye, drove a school bus for Randolph County Schools, was a certified lawnmower mechanic and owned Valentino’s Washeteria. He joined Wehadkee Baptist. During his ministry, he pastored: Mt. Pisgah and Macedonia Baptist, both of Roanoke, Mt. Olive Baptist of Jackson’s Gap, Mt. Zion Baptist and St. John, Mt. Lebanon, Haven Chapel, Bell Chapel and Mitchell Springs UMC, all of LaFayette, Mt. Godfrey of New Site and St. Paul UMC of Opelika. He was a RCTS trustee and NAACP, ADC and Western Lodge 538 F&AM member.

Rev. Bell is survived by his daughters, Sherridian Ann Frazier (Melvin), Deborah Lynne Owens (Melvin), Janice Denise Allen (Whit) and Chandra Elaine Darden (Rodney) of Opelika; sons, Felix Denard Bell (Robin) of Roanoke and Ritchie Valentino Bell (Delsie) of Lanett; 10 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Antonia Watson Bell.

Clark Memorial Funeral Service, Roanoke.