Thomas Bell Jr

October 14, 1967 - October 28, 2017

Thomas Bell, known as Coach Bell, Tommy, Mr. Bell, T. Bell, dad, and granddaddy departed this earthly life for eternal rest on Saturday night, October 28, 2017, at 8 p.m. Born in Stamford, Connecticut, on October 14, 1967, he was the son of Ms. Vashti Davis and the late Mr. Thomas Bell, Sr. At an early age, he attended Westminster Presbyterian Church. Thomas’ life was inspired by God and his family. He enjoyed being a devoted husband, father, son, educator, speaker and coach. Thomas graduated from Manning High School in 1985. He played football and baseball. Thomas was a 1990 graduate of South Carolina State College and earned his Bachelors degree in General Business Administration. In 1996, he received two certifications in Special Education. In 2007, he earned a Masters degree in Education Administration from Grand Canyon University. His career as an educator began in Williamsburg School District at Kingstree High School in 1996. He worked in Clarendon School District Two at Manning High School from 1997 – 2001 where he served as the junior varsity basketball coach and junior varsity baseball coach. He was an educator in Clarendon School District One at Scott’s Branch High School from 2001 – present. He was also an educator in Sumter School District at Mayewood Middle School. During his tenure in Clarendon One, Thomas served as an assistant principal, principal, Special Education teacher, athletic director, and coach. His coaching experience included serving as the varsity boys’ basketball coach, the varsity baseball coach, a varsity football assistant coach, the middle school boys’ basketball coach and the junior varsity boys’ basketball coach. In addition to his late father, Thomas was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Lizzie Davis (Henry) Frierson; paternal grandmother Verdell Thompson; and two sisters, Lesley Mungo and Karen Jones. Those who remain to grow from being loved by Thomas and to see his visions come to fruition are: his loving wife of twenty-four years, Stacy Huggins Bell of Manning, SC; four children, Jabril, Imani, Quadri, and Staclyn all of Manning, SC; his devoted mother, Vashti Davis of Manning, SC; grandson, Jamarion Bell of Manning, SC; brothers Dontae Bell and Marc Wilder of Tampa, FL; sister Tamela (Eric) Edwards of Norwalk, CT; mother-in-law, Eva (Anderson) Huggins of Whitehall, SC; sister-in-law, Aretha Huggins of Whitehall, SC; brother-in-law, Anderson (Kim) of Fayetteville, NC; aunts Cynthia (Glen) Kennedy of Greeleyville, SC; Shelly “Shelia” Davis of Largo, MD, Cherylle Davis of Alcolu, SC; Linda Davis of Columbia, SC; Gwen Pierce, Maria Felder, Kathy Thompson, and Jacqueline Butler; uncles, Charlie Bell, Allen Bell, Frank Thompson, Billy Thompson, Alfonso Thompson, and John Bell; grandaunts, Anna Burns and Lillie Mae McFadden of Alcolu, SC and Katie Davis of Sumter, SC; first cousins: Kayla, Brent, Karel, and Ariel of Greeleyville, SC and Ryen Davis of Columbia, SC; step-mother, Nadine Bell of Tampa, FL; lifetime friends George Hicks, Roman Pearson, and Oscar Jones; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.