Doug Bell

Douglas Boyce Bell Jr., 72, of 123 Leslie Drive, Sterling Ridge, Greenwood, SC, passed away November 25, 2015 at Self Regional Medical Center surrounded by his family. He endured a courageous twelve-year battle with a severe spinal cord injury and paralysis. A native of the Callison community, he was the son of the late Douglas Boyce Bell, Sr. and Dorothy Merritt Bell Hines. He attended Greenwood High School, Gordon Military Academy and attended Newberry College on athletic scholarship. He was well known in his early life for his athleticism and strength. He was Co-Captain of the 1960 Greenwood Emeralds Football Team, a Shrine Bowl Representative, All-Big 14 and News Piedmont All-State Representative and later awarded for his outstanding play in the original Peach Bowl for Gordon Military. On the gridiron, he was in his glory. He served in the South Carolina National Guard and spent the majority of his career as an independent developer of land, timber and mineral resources and a land acquisition agent for mining corporations. He had a vast knowledge and appreciation of geology and developed machinery that he used and later distributed in the mining industry. He was a member of Bold Spring Baptist Church, where during his active years he served as a Deacon and youth leader. He was an avid outdoorsman, skilled in gold panning. He loved to dance and listen to Gospel and Blues music. He was married to his wife Brucie for over 48 years. Although he possessed formidable physical strength, he possessed inner strength like no other person. He was a giving friend to many people from all walks of life. Surviving are his wife, Brucie D. Bell of the home; daughter, Deana Bell VanDyke and husband Jimmy of Hodges, SC; son, Douglas L. Bell and wife Sara of Greenwood, SC; sister, Joyce B. Rush of Summerville, SC; brother, George M. Bell of Greenville, SC; grandchildren, Hayden H. Bell and Hadley Kate Bell; and several extended relatives. The family wishes to express deepest appreciation to John W. Holman, M.D., and the many nurses and caregivers that touched his life. God, acting through these special people and wife Brucie, extended and enriched his life and gave him peace and comfort in his final days. The family will hold a private memorial service, and would like to thank everyone for the countless thoughts and prayers, visits and special moments. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Burton Center Foundation in support of the Head and Spinal Cord Injury Program.


This obituary was originally published in The Index-Journal (Greenwood, SC).