Charles Floyd Bell

A Life Well Lived

Brother Charlie Floyd Bell was a New Years Eve baby; born December 31, 1933 in rural Elgin, Texas on a farm to Charlie and Odell Fowler Bell. He was the only child of this union.

Spiritual Life

Charlie was 12 years old in 1946 when he went to a prayer meeting at Union Hill Baptist Church in Utley, Texas. The Holy Spirit descended upon him and he professed a hope in Christ and was later baptized in the Colorado River. He joined fellowship with Mt. Zion A.M.E. church in Elgin, Texas. He remained a member until he moved to Tempe, Arizona to attend college at Arizona State University. He became a member of Tanner Chapel A.M.E. church in Phoenix, Arizona. In 1976, he returned to Texas with his family and reunited membership with Mt. Zion A.M.E. church in Elgin, Texas. In later years, it became physically challenging for him to attend in-person church services. He enjoyed watching televised sermons of Joel Osteen, pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas.

Education

His early years of education began in Bastrop County in the rural community of Utley, Texas. He attended a one-room segregated schoolhouse called Union Hill. The teacher, Mrs. E. C. B. LeQuey, was also the principal. In order to get a high school diploma, he moved to Austin, Texas to attend Anderson High. His parents rented a room for him to live in Austin, Texas. At the completion of his coursework, he wanted to attend the University of Texas at Austin, but learned blacks were not allowed to attend.

He applied out-of-state, in 1951 to an integrated university; Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. He was accepted and graduated with a Bachelor of Science and Master of Education. In 1966, he was determined to attend the University of Texas at Austin and was accepted! He enrolled in continuum education courses. He was on campus August 1, 1966 when the University of Texas tower shooter was shooting indiscriminately at students and the general public. He said he was unaware of the shooter, but wondered why people were running and hiding as he walked to class. In the 1980s, he attended Texas State University, formerly called Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas for Special Education Certification.

Courtship, Marriage and Family Life

He was introduced to his future wife, Sonja Jean Kepler, at a church choir meeting at Open Door Pentecostal Church in Phoenix, Arizona. The next day, they met at a cafe on campus at Arizona State University and the courtship began. The couple married June 17, 1956 at the end of her sophomore year at Arizona State University. The couple moved to San Antonio, Texas when he was drafted to Fort Sam Houston Army Base in Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Following his honorable discharge, the couple returned to Arizona where they raised two daughters, Theresa and Charlene.

In 1976, he and his family moved to Elgin, Texas after the death of his beloved father, Charlie Bell. Sonja and Charlie were blessed with two grandsons, “Trey” Bobby Washington, III and Roderick Emanuel, Jr. M.D., and two great-grandchildren, Theresa Washington and Trey Washington.

Career

In 1955, he began a career in educaton with Phoenix Consolidated School District in Phoenix, Arizona as an elementary teacher. He was drafted into the armed services in 1956. He served in the military branch of the army until 1958. He was honorably discharged from the army and joined the Army Reserves.

He resumed his career in education with Phoenix Consolidated School District. Over the next 20 years, he was employed as an elementary teacher, elementary principal and Director of Federal Programs. In 1976, he resigned from the school district when his father passed. He relocated to Elgin, Texas to manage the family farm. In 1977, he built a “mom and pop” country store on the farm. He employed people in the community to work in the store.

In 1981, he resumed his career in education. He was employed by Bastrop Independent School District in Bastrop, Texas and retired in 2001 after 20 years of dedicated employment. During his employment, he taught on the elementary and high school campuses, he was department chair of the Special Education Department at the high school and his last assignment was Job Placement Coordinator.

His commitment of 40 years in education touched countless students’ lives, who have gone on to become productive citizens.

Goodwill Towards Others

Throughout Charlie’s teaching career, he provided clothing, school supplies, food and financial assistance to students and families in need. He generously gave to individuals in the community, Christian and civic organizations, scholarships, fundraisers and political campaigns.

Memories

He will be remembered for his smile; it was as bright as the morning sun. He kept you laughing with his quirky sayings such as,

“Take life as it comes; roll with the punches.”

“Not all 12 o’clocks are midnight; one of them is high noon.”

“If you are going to live like there is no God, you better be right.”  

And sometimes he answered the telephone, “Joe’s Pool Hall, 8-ball speaking.” 

All laughing aside, he will be remembered as a cool father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He will be remembered as an encourager, amazing teacher, historian, friend, businessman, rancher and photographer. He captured many memories through photos and freely shared them.

He often said, “Love is an action word that cannot be bought; its got to come from the heart.”

Beyond the Veil

On September 25, 2024, Charlie Floyd Bell crossed the Veil to reunite in heaven with his loving wife, Sonja Jean Kepler Bell of 65 years of marriage; his daughter, Theresa Washington; his parents, Charlie and Odell Bell and a host of relatives and dear friends.

Loved Ones to Cherish His Memories

He is survived by his daughter, Charlene Emanuel of Bastrop, Texas; son-in-law, Roderick Emanuel, Sr. of Bastrop, Texas; grandsons, Bobby “Trey” Washington, III of Austin, Texas and Dr. Roderick Emanuel, Jr. of Houston, Texas; great-grandchildren, Theresa Washington and Trey Washington of Austin, Texas; brother-in-laws Duane Kepler (Patricia) of Fresno, California, Zachey Kepler of California, Stephen Kepler of Aurora, Colorado; god-daughter, Sewah Archer Russ of Austin, Texas and a host of relatives and dear friends.

Celebrating a Life Well Lived

Charlie will Lie in State at the Elgin Funeral Home on Friday, October 4th, from 2:00 PM until 6:00 PM. Family and Friends will gather for a Home-Going Celebration at Elgin Funeral Home on Saturday, October 5th, at 10:00 AM, with the Reverend Walter Greene presiding. Interment will follow at Colorado Chapel Cemetery of Utley.