|
|
The
fruitful and faithful life of Henry Harrison Bell Sr. ended peacefully
on Monday, January 30, 2012 at the Martha Jefferson Hospital. He was
born in Charlottesville, Virginia
He was a recipient of several notable awards to include the Keeper of the Village Award- given by the African American Cultural Arts Festival; Golden Licensee Award presented by the Virginia Funeral Directors’ Association for 50 years of service to the funeral business; and the Pillar of Faith Award from the Piedmont District Baptist Ministers Deacons and Laymen’s Union in 2005 for his contribution to the faith community of Charlottesville; He was also recognized along with his brother Raymond, Daughter, Deborah and Son in-law, Martin in receiving the Pioneer Award 2003 from the Central Virginia Minority Business Association; and also shared in the 2006 Spirit Award from the Eta Phi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority; he was a former member of the Virginia Funeral Directors’ Association and a Lifetime member of First Baptist Church. Most weekends he was involved directing a funeral with his brother, John or if by chance there wasn’t a funeral you would find him behind the counter of his store or in later years taking orders in his restaurant. He enjoyed revivals and would make his rounds to attend many that were held by the various churches. He relished a good meal at many of the local diners and fast food restaurants to include the Kustard Korner, Lins, Henry’s, and drug store counters such as Timberlakes, Standard, and Peoples Drug stores. On those rare occasions he had free time he was an avid sportsman who enjoyed fishing and hunting. He loved the mountains in the fall and the beach in the summer. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Verlease Jackson Bell; one son, Dr. Henry H. Bell, Jr., M.D. and wife, Cynthia of Columbia, MD; two daughters, Deborah Bell Burks and husband, Colonel Martin V. Burks, III of Charlottesville, VA and Sabrina Bell Carter and husband, Carl Carter, Esquire of Memphis, TN; 5 grandchildren, Martin V. Burks, IV, Hailey E. Bell, Jessica N. Bell, Heather H. Bell and Henry Harrison Bell, III; one very special Godson, Erskine White and wife, Karen ; a Goddaughter, Denise McDonald; two Godgrandchildren, Timbernee and Zoe; one sister in- law, Shirley Mills; three devoted friends, Joyce Stinnie , Karen Ray and Carrie Wicks; numerous nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral Services will be held at 12 P.M. on Saturday, February 4, 2012 at First Baptist Church, 632 W. Main Street with the Reverend Hodari Hamilton officiating. Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday, February 3, 2012 from 6 to 8 P.M. at First Baptist Church. J. F. Bell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. |
on
April 3, 1927, to the late John Ferris and Maude Lee Bell of
Charlottesville, VA. He was married to his beloved wife of 58 years,
Verlease Jackson Bell. Henry was preceded in death by his sister,
Rosemond B. Jemison, and two brothers, John F. Bell, Jr. and his twin,
Raymond Lee Bell. He was admired by friends, family and all who knew
him; a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was devoted not only
to his family, but to his friends, church, and community. He possessed a
one of a kind charisma that made everyone feel at ease, and special when
they were around him. We will never forget his handsome smile, quick wit
and sense of humor. He was a Charlottesville native and a graduate of
Jefferson High School. During his service in the Armed Forces shortly
after World War II, he was stationed in Germany and received an
honorable discharge from the U. S. Army. He attended West Virginia State
University and was a graduate of Boston School of Mortuary Science in
1951. He returned to Charlottesville and began his illustrious career
working in his father’s funeral business- J. F. Bell Funeral Home, which
was established in 1917. He instituted the change from black to white
funeral vehicles which was a bold move in the funeral business and it
became the signature of J. F. Bell Funeral Home. He instituted many
traditions that only exist at a Bell Funeral. He often demonstrated that
providing the utmost care and service to families was a very important
part of funeral service and he along with his brothers strove to provide
that service which gave Bell Funeral Home a stellar reputation in the
funeral business. He was a Funeral Service licensee for over 60 years.
He was a master in restorative work and he was sought out by those in
the funeral business as an expert embalmer. He and his brothers ran J.
F. Bell Funeral Home for more than half a century. At the time of his
death he was the President of J. F. Bell Funeral Home, Inc. which has
existed as a family business for 95 years. During his tenure at J. F.
Bell the doors were open to make donations to many charitable causes and
to support church and civic events in the African American community;
the organizations included sponsoring a youth baseball team; supporting
numerous church anniversaries and programs and to include the NAACP,
local black publications, local school events, sports organizations and
the Jefferson High School Alumni. He was an entrepreneur, mentor,
investor, visionary and a man of faith. He was a quiet activist who had
many firsts in the business community. He and his wife, Verlease ran
Quality Retail Store, one of the only two grocery stores on Vinegar
Hill; it later moved to Fifth Street S.W. after urban renewal and the
demolition of Vinegar Hill. The store was very popular in the community
and was a precursor of the convenience stores of today; it was unique
because it stayed open until 11 p.m. when the average grocery store
closed much earlier. The store also gave credit to customers when they
were not able to pay for items they needed until the end of the month.
He was a community youth employer and hired numerous youth to work in
the store to help with many of the duties that had to be performed
there; they learned many practical skills; gained a strong work ethic;
and received good life lessons working under his tutelage. Many of the
young men that worked went on to have rewarding careers, and have earned
college and graduate degrees. Some of them called him “Dad” and credited
him with pointing them in the right direction and inspiring them to
become who they are today. Young folks often sought his advice and
wisdom. He was easy to relate to and they recognized that he could
provide them with valuable insight. He established the first
African-American taxi company in Charlottesville, Courtesy Cab, that
consisted of a small fleet of taxis. Henry wanted to give dignity to
African Americans who wanted to use a taxi; Courtesy Cab did not pass
African American passengers by when they waved for a taxi and Courtesy
Cab’s drivers were trained to open the door for their passengers and
assisted them with their belongings. It inspired one of his employees to
later have his own private taxi that he ran for several decades. Henry
also drove an ambulance during the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s; he
transported local African American from their residences to the hospital
in order to receive emergency care; it was during a the Jim Crow era, a
time when white ambulance drivers would not pick up African Americans
who needed emergency transportation. He also dabbled in the restaurant
business and opened Henry Jr. Burger House on Commerce Street where the
Henry Jr. Burger and the Bull Burger were a fast food treat. He
established and was the president of the first African American
Investment Club in Charlottesville, the 21st Century Investment Club
where the members picked stocks; sought financial education; and made
numerous sound financial investments. He was also a land investor and a
property investor that rented to local residents.