Tommy Bell

Mr. Tommy William Bell, 76, of Linden, passed away Sunday June 30, 2024. He was born in Nashville to the late Roy and Bessie Bell. In addition to his parents he is also preceded in death by a son Chaymus Bell. The following obituary was written by Mr. Benny Howard;
In Memory of T Bell the Crappie Man
I just lost a great friend in Tommy Bell. They say you can count your true friends on one hand. This is very true! We have been friends all our lives. I called him or he called me once or twice a week for many years. That is what you call a true friend.
Tommy loved his family with all his heart. When he lost his oldest son, Chaymus, it took a lot out of him. Tommy caught cat scratch fever and married Cathy White. His wife, Cat, loved and took care of him all these years. She needs a pat on the back.
Tommy taught school for over 30 years. He received his B.S. Degree in Education at Bethel University, his Masters from Austin Peay and he also had his Career Level I teaching certificate. All of you that had Mr. Tommy for a teacher...., just think of all the funny things that happened in his class. He knew the Civil War better than anyone. He knew all of the generals and where they were located. Tommy was no dummy. He was a lot smarter than he wanted you to believe he was.
Tommy was the best crappie fisherman I have ever been in the boat with. He could fish out the back of the boat and beat me fishing in the front. He introduced me to jig fishing for crappie. Since then, I haven't bought a minnow in 30 years!! He knew what he was doing fishing. He not only was good at crappie fishing, but he also caught just as many catfish. One day we went fishing and caught 106! When you went with him, you were going to catch something..., even if it was a cold! The next time you go fishing and loose one right at the boat, that was Tommy laughing at you!
We did a lot of illegal things that I will not write about!! If they have not caught us in 76 years, then it is too late now! When we were in our teen years, we went telephoning one night. We were doing great. Tommy was up front dipping when all at once he said "Big Fish". I asked how big. He said "I don't know but he had an eye ball on both sides of the boat!" We did not get that one in! We had a lot of great times on the water and I could write for days.
In closing, when you are fishing, look around, you will surely see a brush pile or a stake bed that he put out. If heaven has got a great crappie or catfish hole, God will have to restock often because Tommy caught all of them!! You will be greatly missed. Survivors include his wife Catherine "Cat" White Bell, a son Drake (Melissa) Bell, grandsons River and Fender Bell, his extended family that he loved like his own: step-daughter and son-in-law; Jessi and Travis McCormick, granddaughter's Shelby (Chase) Robertson and Cheyenne McCormick, grandson Ty McCormick.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tn. 38105-9959, 1-800-873-6983 or stjude.org/memorial.
No services are planned at this time.
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