Ronny Dewayne Bell

1943 - 2024

On Good Friday, March 29, 2024, Ronny Dewayne Bell passed away peacefully surrounded by family after a valiant battle with cancer attributed to Agent Orange exposure from his service in the US Army during the Vietnam War.

Ronny was born on March 22, 1943 in Bessemer, Alabama to Willie Eugene and Thelma Essman Bell. He grew up in Opelika, Alabama and spent most of his adult life in Metro Atlanta. As his primary career, he repaired and sold typewriters, first with Olivetti and then as co-owner of Duluth Office Supply with Doris Wilson Bell.

Ronny was preceded in death by both of his parents, his younger brother, Tommy, who died as a toddler, and his youngest brother, Roger, who died in 2021. Their oldest brother, Billy, died on April 11, in time to coordinate a combined memorial service to celebrate both brothers together.

Ronny is most immediately survived by his sister, Jean (GL) Martin of Opelika, his daughter Sherra Bell of Atlanta; and his son Michael (Kayle) Bell of Marietta. He was a loving grandfather known as Papa to 8 grandchildren and one great grandson, and PawPaw to 3 more. Ronny was part of a large and close extended family, loved as a devoted brother-in-law, uncle, and cousin by many.

He also enjoyed other like-family bonds while living in Augusta for his care at Charlie Norwood VA and Augusta University Cancer Center. After miraculously graduating from hospice in 2022, Ronny's life and comfort were extended more than a year thanks to treatment at University Blood and Cancer Center in Athens. In the last year of his life, he quickly endeared himself to the staff and residents at Arbor Terrace Burnt Hickory and was cared for tenderly by Praying Angels Caregivers and Trinity Hospice at the end.

Ronny will forever be remembered for "just chugging along" with his easy-going nature, his sense of humor, his St. Francis of Assisi like love for animals, and his abiding commitment to God, country, and those around him. A man of faith, he was confirmed and baptized as a child at Trinity UMC in Opelika, and near midlife became a lay elder in the Reformed Presbyterian Church.

The graveside service for both brothers will be officiated by Dr. Chip Jackson at Rosemere Cemetery in Opelika at 2pm CDT on Saturday April 20, 2024, including military funeral honors for Ronny. Arrangements for the service are being handled by Frederick-Dean Funeral Home in Opelika, AL.

In lieu of flowers, Ronny's family requests that you instead invest that money into your church, favorite charity, or make a donation to cancer research, animal welfare or services for Vietnam Veterans. A silent generation veteran whose homecoming was overshadowed by protests and an airline strike, the best way to honor Ronny is to say "Thank you for your service!" to a veteran or active duty warrior whenever possible.