Richard Evans Bell

Richard Evans Bell passed away peacefully at his home in Manteo on Wednesday, December 24, 2025. He was born in Wilmington, NC on May 22, 1936. He was the son of Edgar Lee Bell, of Wilmington, and Edna Evans Bell, and grandson of Richard Coles Evans, one of the original signers of the petition to incorporate the Town of Manteo in 1899.
Richard grew up in Manteo and had many fond memories of playing on the docks and swimming on the waterfront, as well as helping his mother with her boarding house, and he was always proud to tell people that he shared the stage with Andy Griffith while performing as a young boy in The Lost Colony. He graduated from Manteo High in 1955 and then attended Campbell College (now University) graduating in 1958 before going into the United States Navy where he served honorably until 1962, achieving the rank of Machinist Mate Second Class. While in the Navy he was stationed onboard the U.S.S. Fort Mandan (LSD 21). He was immensely proud of his time in the service and loved telling sea stories, especially of his deployments to the Mediterranean. After being Honorably Discharged from the Navy he began a career in construction. While working with Brown & Root Construction Company he became one of their Field Engineers for the Brunswick Nuclear Power Plant construction projects, in Southport, NC. Upon completion of that project, he moved with his family back to Manteo.
Richard always cared about and supported his community. He was a volunteer with the Roanoke Island Fire Dept. in the late 50's and volunteer EMT in the 80's. He was very active in Scouts and was the Manteo area Cub Scoutmaster from 1977 to 1989. He was also a volunteer crisis counselor taking the overnight Saturday shift for Outer Banks Hotline from 1981 to 1989. He was the proudest citizen of Dare County and genuinely believed that Manteo was heaven on earth. He had a childlike heart and always saw the good in everyone.
Richard never met a stranger and had a love of life and attitude that inspired everyone around him. He always saw the positive in everything and was a lifelong animal lover. He loved going to the movies and spending his summer days lying on the beach.
Richard is survived by his son, Howard Lee Bell of Raleigh, NC, and daughter, Amy Christine Bell of Manteo. While Christ was the foundation of his soul, his children were the foundation of his heart. He once said, living without his children was like living without air. He was happiest in their company.
A Service will be held at Mt Olivet United Methodist Church, Friday, January 2, 2025, at 11:00 am with Pastor Marc O'Neal officiating, with a gathering and refreshments to immediately follow at 108 Budleigh.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Richard Coles Evans Scholarship Fund by sending a check to Mt Olivet United Methodist Church, PO Box 787, Manteo, NC in his memory.
Twiford Funeral Homes, Outer Banks is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard, please visit our floral store.