Gregory
Leon Bell Sr. was born on April 5, 1955 in Cleveland, Ohio to the
union of Jerome and Lucille (nee Walker) Bell and was the last of
five children born to this union.
Gregory was educated
in the Cleveland Public School System.
On January 1, 1977,
Gregory was united in matrimony to Jacqueline Scovill and to their
union two children were born - Tymika and Gregory Leon Bell Jr.
On February 7, 1977,
Gregory entered the United States Army. During his tour of duty, he
earned expert status with M-16 rifles and hand grenades. In
addition, he earned Good Conduct and Mechanics Medals as well as
Army Service and Overseas Service Ribbons. On October 25, 1983,
Gregory was Honorably Discharged after earning the rank of
Sergeant. He later served in the Army Reserves.
After returning
home, Gregory gained employment and worked at various places. For
the last seventeen years, he had been a dedicated and hard working
employee at HiTec Metal Group.
In January 1990,
Gregory married Janet Jones. This union included Janet’s son,
Samuel “Sam” Jones, who Gregory helped to raise as his own.
Gregory had many
nicknames - “Homeboy”, “Fat Eyes”, “Grega”, “Bro”, and “My
Brother”. He particularly enjoyed helping people and making them
laugh. Gregory loved people and never met any strangers. He meant
a lot to many people. If he could, he would help or do anything for
you at no charge. His favorite saying was “your money don’t spend
with me”. He also loved his family, and would do anything for them,
especially his beloved grandson, Antonio, which he raised from the
age of two.
On Sunday, January
31, 2010, Gregory departed this life and is preceded in death by his
parents.
Those left to mourn
and to cherish his memories include one daughter, Tymika (Rick)
Walker and one son, Gregory L. (Chakara) Bell, Jr., as well as
Samuel Jones who was like a son to him; grandchildren, Antonio L.
Scovill, Rick Walker II, Gregory Ricky Bell, and Bryce Taylor;
sisters, Dolores Bell-Knight (Wesley), Jacqueline Gray, Anita
Bell-Murray (Ivan), and Thelmalita Williams; one brother, Jerome
Bell Jr. (Hazel), all of Cleveland, Ohio; aunts, Fannie Lou Walker
(Freddie Lee Walker, dec.) of Memphis, TN, and Berniece Walker
(Moses Leon Walker, dec.); one special friend, Donna White-Green;
and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
