Rev. Benjamin Russell Bell Sr., 85, formerly of Mill Creek, NC, passed away peacefully at his home in Henderson, NC on Friday, August 8, 2025.
Rev. Bell was born on May 13, 1940, in Morehead City, NC, to the late Guy Bell and Bessie Oglesby Bell. His life was marked by his deep faith and an unwavering devotion to the Lord, which he expressed through a remarkable 54 years of pastoring and over 26 years of missionary evangelism, impacting countless lives along the way. Known for his ministry of encouragement, support, and leadership, Rev. Bell dedicated himself to spreading the gospel and guiding new believers in their journeys of faith.
Russell Bell was saved at the age of 19 and was called into the ministry that same year. He studied at Temple Baptist Institute and Apologian & Award Tabernacle Baptist of Virginia Beach, VA, and received his Doctor of Divinity in 1993 from Clarksville Theological Seminary. He came with World Wide in 1971 as one of the four founding Board Members, who have now all gone on to Glory.
Growing up on the coast, Rev. Bell had a profound love for the water and never missed an opportunity to go fishing or boating. He was also a talented carpenter, who could build anything and always did so with precision and care.
Rev. Bell will be deeply missed by his loving family, who cherish the positive influence he had on their lives and the lives of so many others.
Those remaining to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Mamie Riggs Bell; daughters, Theresa Joy Bell of Mill Creek, NC and Sherry Bell McGuire of Kernersville, NC; sons, Benjamin R. Bell Jr. (Tonya) of Mill Creek, NC and Chad Bell (Kristin) of Fruitland Park, FL; brother, Mike Bell of Mill Creek, NC; grandchildren, Benjamin Guy Bell (Amanda), Kerrigan Shae Bell, Keagan Paige Bell, and Keith McGuire (Jessie); and great-grandchildren, Brooklyn, Jackson, Harley, and Emma.
A funeral service to honor Rev. Bell’s life will be held at 1 p.m., Thursday, August 14th at Reece’s Chapel Baptist Church, 171 Old Winberry Rd., Newport, NC 28570, officiated by Rev. Danny Whetstone. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service as well as the home of Benjamin Russel Jr., 211 Point Road in Newport. Rev. Bell will be laid to rest privately at Bell-Oglesby Family Cemetery in Mill Creek.
For those unable to attend his funeral service, the service can be viewed through his obituary page on Munden Funeral Home’s website. The service will remain on the Funeral Home website for 90 days.
Condolences may be sent to Mrs. Bell at [email protected].