Joe Bell

1946 - 2025

Joel Forrest Bell, 79, died on July 9, 2025, in Austin after several years of declining health due to Alzheimer's.

Joe is survived by his wife of 54 years, Ellen Victory Bell. He is also survived by son Joel Forrest Bell of Austin; daughter Katherine Taylor Bell; son-in-law Stephane Suveg; and grandchildren Corin David Bell-Suveg, Penelope Sofia Bell-Suveg, and Alban Benjamin Bell-Suveg, all of Paris.

Other survivors include his sisters-in-law, Bridget Bell of Dallas, Carolyn Bell of Lynchburg, VA, Frances Victory Schenkkan (Pete) of Austin, and Jennifer Victory of Shreveport. Larry McGowan of Houston and Nancy Victory of Shreveport also survive Joe, and numerous nephews and nieces.

The middle son of Jane Eger Bell and William Forrest Bell, Joe was born June 25, 1946, in Delhi, LA. The family lived in Dallas until settling in Shreveport when Joe was in junior high. Joe attended public schools in Dallas and Shreveport. He is a graduate of Baylor University with a bachelor's degree in biology and obtained a master's degree in design and simulation from the University of Texas at Austin.

After Baylor, Joe worked in Italy and Libya as a mud logger. He traveled in Europe on field breaks. Upon returning to the United States, he worked at the UT language lab and taught science and social studies at O.Henry Junior High. Joe later developed an expertise in information technology and, for 30 years, implemented software at Stellargy, Harcourt Publishing, Concero, Whole Foods Market, and elsewhere.

In retirement, he was the part-time pantry director of Micah 6, a non-profit across from the University of Texas. He rarely missed a day of work and was known as a "good hand."

Joe was energetic, creative, curious, and resilient. He loved to teach others. He taught a Sunday School class at University Baptist Church that studied books and films. The class was listed as "All Who Wander Are Not Lost." He cooked for the church, too, and was known for his enormous jars of pimento cheese and egg salad prepared for meetings. He operated the church's sound system and served as a deacon and a missions committee member. He volunteered at God's Family Dinner, a free Thursday night meal for anyone in need.

As a young man, Joe learned photography, stained glass, and trapunto art. He sewed baby clothes for his daughter Kate. Joe also had many backyard projects, such as building an addition to a garden shed and planting fig trees. For years, he rode his bicycle as his primary transportation, an activity that may have inspired his son Joel's ardor for bikes.

Once Joe knew he had Alzheimer's, he walked several miles a day and adopted a diet he thought would slow the progress of the disease. He participated in a clinical trial to help determine the benefits of a new memory loss drug. He and Ellen became members of Love Notes, a chorus for persons with memory loss and their partners, and they made many new friends singing. He was a whistler but had never been in a singing group and enjoyed the variety of songs and the concerts. He also attended House of Friends, a respite program for persons with memory loss, and was known for his vigorous dancing.

Joe thought of himself as a paperboy (his first job), a supportive parent and husband, and a hard worker. Even with memory loss, he brought a newspaper to the door for a neighbor each morning. He was the family grocery shopper, cook, and gardener. He took care of Kate and Joel when Ellen went back to school. He helped Kate write college essays and Joel with science projects. He often surprised the family with special breakfasts and fun birthday cards.

Joe was known for his sense of humor and energy. He had many friends who told "Joe stories." He loved to read, swim, walk, and spend time with his family. He traveled for over 50 years with Ellen to Asia, Europe, and the United States.

He wrote witty Christmas letters; one friend said she saved his letter for last so she could savor it. From a 1995 letter: "We used to wonder about the guy who wrote 'Out of the night that covers me, black as the pit from pole to pole...' and what he was going through that made it seem so bad to him. I now know that he must have been living in a house where they were renovating the kitchen."

Joe's family is grateful for the skilled and compassionate professionals who cared for him at The Village at the Triangle, St. David's Medical Center, Dell Seton Medical Center, and numerous skilled nursing facilities.

Memorial contributions may be made to God's Family Dinner at University Baptist Church, (2130 Guadalupe, Austin, TX 78705); Love Notes Chorus (3803 Arrow Drive, Austin, TX 78749 ); House of Friends (Bethany United Methodist Church, 10010 Anderson Mill Road, Austin, TX 78750); or Micah 6 Food Pantry (2203 San Antonio St, Austin, TX 78705).

Please join Joe's family and friends for a memorial service at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at University Baptist Church, 2130 Guadalupe. In addition to street parking, space is available at Callaway House, 2105 Nueces Street, and the University Co-Op, 2214 San Antonio Street.