Shelly Lewis Bell

Shelly Lewis Bell was born in Flatonia, Texas on September 26, 1945. He entered the world to mother, Geneva and father, Thomas James Bell. Shelly was baptized in the Methodist Church as a young boy. Shelly had fifteen siblings: Elizabeth(deceased), Thomas James(deceased), Myrtlee(deceased), Josephine, Essie Mae, Richard, Margret, Dorothy Jean, Geneva"Wee-Wee"(Pete), William(Jackie), Susan "Sue"(deceased), Preston(Virginia), Linda(Ronald), and Marylin"Lommie"(James). A family that worked, played, laughed, talked and occasionally disagreed with one another, but always being there for each other. As a small child he was known to love the sound of breaking glass...so windows were fair game. He was given the nickname "Red" due to the color of his hair that changed to black as he grew up. Habits he never outgrew were falling asleep listening to music on the radio and always wanting the fan on him as he slept. Hunting and fishing became a true enjoyment for Shelly when he was about 15, he also loved to ride horses and roping. His friends would know he was out and about in Flatonia doing one or the other. He attended Douglas Elementary School and graduated from LaGrange High School. Some of the interesting jobs were working on a chicken farm, working in a feed store, and working on a ranch. His final career was in the maintenance field starting at the Flatonia Independent School District. He married Susan, his first wife and became a stepfather to her son John. He and Susan raised John together for 8 years. They moved to San Antonio were he was employed at the Rigsby Apartments where he became head of maintenance. In 1979 he met and married Connie. They remained together until his death. If you saw one you always saw the other. Eventually he became self employed, where he and Connie worked side by side. After a long day you could find them at home listening to music. Throughtout his life, Shelly Bell was truly liked and loved by all. To know him was to love him and we do.