Mr. J. Ed Bell

Mr. Bell was born on December 31, 1929 in Fort Valley, Georgia. He later moved to Moultrie, Georgia where he graduated from Moultrie High School. For four years he served in the United States Navy including the Korean War. After being discharged from the Navy, he worked for General Motors while earning a degree from Georgia State University. He then began his 33 year career as a “Good Neighbor” for State Farm serving as an agent, district manager, and agency director. He will always be known as the “State Farm man” for Thomaston and around the state in the State Farm community. Throughout the years Mr. Bell gave his life to serving others. He had a passion for young people and enjoyed many years as a Boy Scout leader, Sunday School teacher, and as a member of the Thomaston City School Board. He was always active in the Lion’s Club, Thomaston Upson Arts Council, Pyramid Investment Group and the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Bell had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and was a vital member of First Baptist Church. He served as a deacon, and was the chairman of many committees throughout his 50 year membership. Ed and Pat patterned a Christian life for their three children resulting in seeing them all come to know the Lord as well as their six grandsons. After Mr. Bell retired, he became a pivotal part of Thomaston. He began his career as a councilman for the city in 1997 where he still served at the time of his death. The hands of Ed can be seen throughout the community where he diligently worked on projects to improve Thomaston. In 2009, friends and family celebrated as he received the Lifetime Achievement Award for the Thomaston Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Bell will always be remembered as someone that always went above and beyond for his family, his work, his city, his country and most importantly for his God. The many questions, words of wisdom, and famous quotes of Mr. Bell, sometimes known as Jabo, will resound through Thomaston for years to come. Mr. Bell is survived by his wife, Patricia Leonard Bell; three children, Dr. Richard “Dick” Bell and wife Angie of Stockbridge, Debbie Bradford and husband Roger of Muscle Shoals, AL, and Nancy McAbee and husband Walt of Concord. He leaves six grandsons who will proudly carry on his legacy, Rhett McAbee, Davis Bradford, Will Bell, Ben Bradford, Cooper Bell and Patrick McAbee. He also leaves one sister, Audrey DeMott, Moultrie and sister-in-law Connie Bell, Woodbridge, VA.