Randell Bell

April 23, 1961 - March 20, 2008
SOUTH BEND - Randell "Randy" Bell, 46, also known as "Bass" was born April 23, 1961, to Rozella Bell and Rudolph Johnson in Benton Harbor, Michigan. He confessed his faith in Christ at an early age at New Paradise Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Willie T. Burton, where he began playing the drums for the youth choir at the age of 13. Randell was a very talented drummer musician and played with numerous gospel and secular groups, such as Sensational Six and Sons of the Sensational Six of Benton Harbor and the Advance Singers of Buffalo, New York to name a few. He played drums for the AME Male Chorus until he was disabled due to his health condition. He was employed in manufacturing until becoming injured on the job. Randy "Bass", loving brother, father, uncle, cousin and nephew departed this life on Thursday, March 20, 2008, following an extended illness. He is survived by his mother, Rozella Bell; and father, Rudolph Johnson; seven children, Claudette (Joel) Santana of South Bend, IN, Randy Marie Washington, Randell Duran Bell and Lamont Levell Bell and Khalifah Bell all of Benton Harbor, MI, Ramondi Duran Bell of Gary, Indiana and Shequillia Lowe of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; three sisters, Kathy Jones and Rosemary Cooper of Benton Harbor, Michigan and Sheila Whitelow of West Memphis, Arkansas; and seven grandchildren. Randy is also survived by his maternal guardian, Annie Mae Hall. His paternal guardian, Dan Hall preceded him in death. Three guardian sisters, Ruth (George) Miles (with whom he resided) of South Bend, Indiana, Deborah Hall of Benton Harbor, Michigan and Pamela Hall of Lansing, Michigan also survive. He had three guardian brothers, David Hall preceded him in death. Alvin Hall of Benton Harbor, Michigan and Danny (Kathleen) Hall of Jinks, Oklahoma survive. He is also survived by an aunt, Mary Lloyd of Benton Harbor, Michigan; two uncles, Robert Johnson of Erie, Pennsylvania and Ronnie Johnson of Chicago, Illinois; along with a very protective and caring cousin, Gary Lloyd; and a host of other cousins, family and friends. Services for Mr. Randell "Randy" Bell will be held on Friday, March 28 in the Union Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church, 911 South Crystal Avenue, Benton Harbor, Michigan 49022. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. funeral services will begin at 1 p.m. Burial will follow the funeral service at North Shore Memory Gardens in Hagar Township, Michigan. The Clark-O'Neal Funeral Home has been entrusted with funeral arrangements.