Joseph Elio Bell, 96, of Mt. Pleasant, Charleston, South Carolina, husband of Donna Lee Kennon Bell, entered into eternal rest Wednesday, February 17, 2021.
Joseph was born October 10, 1924, on the family farm in Wampee, South Carolina, son of Oree Jerome Bell and Delessie Reatha Carter Bell. After graduating from high school he joined the Army Air Corps. He was honorably discharged in December 1945, as a corporal with the 3702nd Army Air Force Base Unit. In 1950, Mr. Bell moved to Northern Virginia where he ran a successful construction company, United Masonry of Virginia, during the post-war building boom. After retiring in 1987, Mr. Bell, an avid fresh water bass fisherman, remained in Northern Virginia until moving back to South Carolina in 2008.
He is survived by his wife, Donna Lee Kennon Bell, of Charleston, SC; sisters, Doris Gump of Chattanooga, TN, and Loy Ree Ballam (Bertram, husband) of Mt. Pleasant, SC. He was preceded in death by siblings, H. Fay Bell, Jerome Bell, Ralph Bell, Clarice Ritter, Esther Boyd.
The family will receive visitors Tuesday, March 16, 2021, from 6:00-8:00 pm at Demaine Funeral Home, 520 S. Washington St, Alexandria, VA 22314. A graveside service with military honors will be held Wednesday, March 17, 2021, at 12:30 pm at Quantico National Cemetery, 18424 Joplin Rd, Triangle, VA 22172.
Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Mount Pleasant Chapel.