James Bell Jr.

James Edward Bell Jr., affectionately known as Junior, was born to the union of James and Lillie Mae Bell on September 11, 1956, in Cleveland, Ohio. James was reared in Cleveland, Ohio with his two older siblings, Joice and Jacquelyn. He attended Cleveland Public Schools prior to graduating from John F. Kennedy High School. Upon completion of High School, James enlisted in the United States Army where he served until, he was honorably discharged.
James went on to serve an additional 4 years in the US Army Reserve before finally settling back into civilian life in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. James went on to work a variety of jobs at Hallmark, Seaway Foods, Sysco, and LTV Steel, before accepting a truck driving position with NAT Trucking Services, before he eventually retired.
James was a jack of all trades, and he was not a stranger to hard work, a value that was instilled in him by his parents at very young age. James realized early on that he was good with his hands after spending many years under the tutelage of his father, where their free time was spent working on cars, and making repairs around the house. He also had a knack for landscaping, so much so that he was able to parlay his skillset into a business in the 1990's. This consisted of cutting grass in the summer, and plowing snow in the winter. He had contracts all throughout northeast Ohio, which often required solicited help from his nephews, Cassius and Jowell, and his son Christian.
Throughout his childhood in Cleveland, OH, James was engulfed in the African American Religious Experience. He attended, and was an active parishioner of Mt. Gillion Missionary Baptist Church, where he began his relationship with Christ. Mt Gillion was also where his father, James Sr., served as the Head Deacon and Trustee, under the leadership of the late Freddie L. Brown. It was at Mt. Gillion Missionary Baptist Church, that he was exposed to diverse styles of preaching from all over the country, especially during tent revival at Luke Easter Park.
Moreover, It was through much prayer that James made the decision to fulfill his vocation by answering his call into the ministry. James was a God-fearing man, and was immensely dedicated to the ministry, in which he shared his love, time, talent, and tithes. He was also actively involved in serving the sick and shut in on First Sundays with Communion. James spent much of his latter years at Leviticus Sweet Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, where he was ordained into the ministry under the leadership of Pastor Horace Glover Jr.
James was impassioned by family, another value passed down from his late parents, who were from the south. He would spend countless hours cultivating relationship with family members, locally and nationally. James was also heavily involved, often instilling the importance of education in the minds of his children. He was always proud of his children's accomplishments, while championing academic excellence, discipline, and most importantly, the love of God.
James spent a majority of his leisure time reading the Word of God, going to bible study or church, watching sports (NFL, MLB and NBA), cooking, baking, listening to music, singing, and dancing. He also took great pleasure in dressing well and smelling good.
James was preceded in death by his parents, James E. Bell Sr. and Lillie Mae Bell, and sister Joice Bell-Atkinson.
He is survived by his children, Christian James, Erin Nicole, Hope India, Jasmine, India; Grandchildren, Elijah, Jewel, Emerald and Zivia; sister, Jacquelyn, and a host of other relatives, and special friends.