Obituaries 09/03/2026
James Robert Bell
OXFORD – James Robert “Jim” Bell, 89, formerly of Water Valley, passed away peacefully Aug. 26, 2026, in Oxford. He was born Oct. 5, 1936, in Water Valley to James Noel Bell and Marcella Ramzy Bell.
Mr. Bell married his high school sweetheart, Mary Louise “Wessie” Sartor Bell, on June 14, 1958. They shared nearly 68 years of marriage and raised three children.
A devoted Boy Scout in his youth, Mr. Bell earned numerous honors, including Eagle Scout, and later served for many years as a Scout leader. He also played football for the Water Valley Blue Devils.
Mr. Bell devoted much of his professional life to education. After teaching for a year at Northwest Junior College, he taught high school math and chemistry in Tupelo and Pontotoc and worked for a year at DuPont in Nashville. He later found his career home teaching chemistry and math at Hinds Community College.
He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Mississippi and later completed his doctorate at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Mr. Bell was active throughout his life in the United Methodist Church, serving on committees and boards and teaching Sunday school. He was involved with Raymond United Methodist Church and Corinth United Methodist Church and was most recently a member of Oxford University United Methodist Church.
He also served in the U.S. Army and Mississippi National Guard. Following military police training in Augusta, Georgia, he participated with the Mississippi National Guard during James Meredith’s enrollment at the University of Mississippi.
Mr. Bell was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Louise Sartor Bell; parents, James Noel and Marcella Ramzy Bell; sister, Beth Bell Crumby and her husband, John; brother, Thomas Arnold Bell; and grandson, Robert Michael Bell.
Survivors include two daughters, Lisa Bell Davis of Oxford and Lauri Bell Butt (David) of Mobile, Alabama; son, James Michael “Mike” Bell (Shana) of Belmont; eight grandchildren, Jamie Carr, Alyssa Thomas (Graham), Shelby Bell, Tony Butt (Katie), Mary Bell (Jarrius Kizer), Caitlin Butt, Michael Bell and Ramsey Bell; four great-grandchildren, William Carr, Olivia Carr, Noah Nelson and Aria Kizer; brothers-in-law, Clyde Sartor (Barbara) of Vicksburg and Mike Sartor (Paula) of Water Valley; sister-in-law, Vicki Bell of Water Valley; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Visitation were held Monday, Aug. 31, at Seven Oaks Funeral Home. Funeral services followed at 2 p.m., with Bro. Chris McAlilly officiating. Interment was at Oak Hill Cemetery. Seven Oaks Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.