Larry Bell remembered for his service and dedication to Starkville. |
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| Remembered as a pillar of the Starkville community, Larry Wayne Bell, 78, passed away peacefully on March 3, surrounded by family. Bell retired from the city of Starkville where he served as building director and civil defense director for more than 32 years. While employed with the city, Bell co-founded and served as secretary of the Building Officials Association of Mississippi (BOAM). Bell was also elected to the board of the legacy model code organization Southern Building Codes Congress International, serving for 14 years, and as it's president for two years. He represented the organization on many building code matters throughout the United States and served as delegate to the World Conference of Building Officials. An outstanding athlete — Bell was known as one of Starkville High School's "tip-top Scrappy Yellow Jacket" football team players — his passion was coaching youth and officiating a variety of sports. Bell served as a sports officiant and coached many years in the Starkville Baseball Association and Starkville Area Youth Basketball League, and was an active high school, community college and college official. He officiated several sports, including college women's basketball and junior college and college football for many years. He also served the Mississippi High School Activities Association for more than 54 years as a football, basketball and baseball official, and as the District Four football secretary and assignor for more than 30 years. Bell is remembered as one of the very best football officials in the state of Mississippi, dressing in a black and white football official outfit every Friday and sometimes Saturday nights. He shared his love for sports with the youth of the community — touching the lives of many young people — and instilled in them the sportsmanship that guided his life. A native Starkvillian, Bell was a graduate of Starkville High School and Mississippi State University. Ever supportive of education, he was an exemplary member of the board of trustees of East Mississippi Community College for more than 26 years. He helped guide the college from the brink of closure to international respect and recognition for excellence in sports and academics. Bell enabled many people to realize the opportunities gained from the community college experience. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, David Bell. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary Sudduth Bell; daughters Laura B. White, Susan Bell Morris, Julia B. Woodward, and Leah B. Ellis; sons Loren "Bo" Bell and Allen R. Bell; 16 grandchildren and one great-grandchild; as well as sisters Betty Duncan, Donna Huff and Patricia Clendenin, and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives. A loving father and husband and community leader who always watched out for the kids, his service, dedication and unselfish service to so many throughout his life leaves a legacy that we all can admire, but few will ever replicate; Bell will be greatly missed by all who knew him. |