C.R. "Russell" Bell

C.R. “Russell” BELL, JR., 74, of Bellville, Texas, passed away Tuesday, March 8, 2022, in Bellville.

He was born January 29, 1948, in Bay City, Texas, the son of Charles Russell and Minnie Belle (Allen) Bell.  Russell grew up and attended schools in the Bay City area, graduating from Bay City High School in 1966.  After graduation, he enrolled in Commonwealth College of Mortuary Science in Houston, receiving his funeral director and embalming licenses in 1970.  Russell was employed with several funeral homes in the Bay City and Houston area, before settling in Bellville, where he was a Managing Funeral Director and Embalmer for Schmidt Funeral Home in Bellville and Brookshire until 2014.

In his younger years, his passion was ranching.  Russell continued ranching into his adult years until his health began to fail him.  Besides ranching, he enjoyed deer hunting and farming, but his love was being with people, telling stories and barbequing.

He is survived by his son: Charles Russell “Little Russell” Bell of Bellville; granddaughter: Kortlan Bell of Louisiana; sister: Julia Bell Coleman of Louisiana; many extended family and dear friends.

Russell was preceded in death by his parents: Charles Russell and Minnie Bell.