R. Glenn Bell Jr.

1933 - 2025

R. Glenn Bell, Jr.

February 9, 1933 - October 26, 2025

Robert Glenn Bell, Jr., aged 92, of Florence, passed away on October 26, 2025.

Glenn was born in Columbia, South Carolina on February 9, 1933, to Robert Glenn Bell, Sr., and Kate Lowry Chisolm. He was raised in Columbia and earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with honors from the University of South Carolina in 1955. As a senior at Carolina, he received the Algernon Sydney Sullivan award and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant after serving in the Air Force R.O.T.C.

Glenn served in the Air Force from 1955 to 1957, working at Eglin Air Force Base as a liaison officer on the TD171 Gatlin Gun Project with General Electric. After his service, he joined Bell Telephone Laboratories in Burlington, North Carolina, and earned a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Duke University.

In 1962, Glenn moved to Florence to work at DuPont de Nemours, Inc., where he held numerous engineering and management roles, including serving as Project Manager on assignments in both Florence and Luxembourg. He retired from DuPont in 1991. Following his retirement, Glenn spent several years working part-time with FW Architects, Inc. and later served as Interim Facilities Administrator for First Presbyterian Church, Florence.

Glenn devoted over four decades to the First Presbyterian Church, teaching Sunday School and serving in leadership roles as Deacon and Elder. He provided long-standing leadership for the District Advancement Committee of the Boy Scouts and was actively involved in community organizations, including the Pee Dee Kiwanis Club. Furthermore, Glenn played a pivotal role as a founding member and inaugural President of the Pee Dee Technical Society, and he served on the board of the House of Hope.

Glenn is survived by his wife, Betty Finklea Jones Bell; children Dorothy (Mike) Sampson and Robert Glenn (Betsey) Bell III; stepdaughter Candice (Richard) Stark; and stepson Stephen (Frances) Jones. He is also remembered by eight grandchildren: Capt. John Justin (Kristin) Carter, Michael (Erika) Sampson, Kristen (Ben) Newcomer, Maj. Patrick (Jenna) Bell, John David Stark, Cordie (Mary Frances) Jones, John ("Jay"), and Stephen Jones, as well as seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Jane Grier Bell, and his stepson John Finklea (Mary) Jones ("Jay").

A memorial service is scheduled for Friday, November 7, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 700 Park Avenue, Florence, followed by a reception.

The family would like to thank Dr. Samuel Dozier and the Assisted Living staff at the Manor for their amazing care as well as the McLeod Hospice House. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be directed to one of the following organizations: House of Hope of the Pee Dee, 1020 W. Darlington Street, Florence, South Carolina 29501; McLeod Hospice House, c/o McLeod Foundation, P. O. Box 100551, Florence, SC 29502; or First Presbyterian Church of Florence, 700 Park Avenue, Florence, SC 29501.

Waters-Powell Funeral Home

Florence, SC