Loafton Bell

Loafton Bell, age 89, of Pensacola, Florida, passed away Sunday, November 13, 2022. He was born December 22, 1932, in Ebro, Florida to the union of the late Eaf Melvin Bell, Sr. and Mamie Oliver Bell.

Loafton attended the Washington County school system. As a young man, he met and married the love of his life, Jeweline Dawson Bell and God blessed them with five children. Loafton worked many years in the pulpwood industry to support his family before going to work with Louisiana Pacific in 1974 until his retirement in 1983. God gifted him with talents in woodworking, auto mechanics, small engine repair, building go-carts, and other exciting machinery. Loafton loved being outdoors, tinkering around his work shed, and building things with his hands. He was known as the "go-to person" for mechanical repairs in the community and could "drop a transmission" and have a vehicle back on the road in no time. Loafton sincerely loved his family, "grand young'uns," fishing, wrestling, and mechanics. In the early Sunday morning of November 13, 2022, God whispered Loafton Bell's name. Tired and weary, he took his Master's hand and left this world for his new home over in Zion. 

Loafton was preceded in death by his loving wife, Jeweline Bell; son, Gregory Bell; grandson, James Gregory Smith; and many beloved family members.

He leaves to cherish his memory, two sons, James Bell (Linda) of Columbus, Georgia and Victor Lynn Bell of Ponce de Leon, Florida; two daughters, Doreatha Henderson (James) of Pensacola, Florida and Eutasia Brooks (Timothy) of Ponce de Leon, Florida; five brothers, Addis Bell, W.D. Bell, K.C. Bell, all of Homerville, Georgia, Cleveland Bell (Yvette) of Ebro, Florida, and Cardell Bell (Shirley) of DeFuniak Springs, Florida; one brother-in-law, Charles Dawson (Mary) of San Antonio, Texas; five sisters-in-law, Yun Ye Dawson of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Celestine Malley of Panama City, Florida, Debbie Turner and Dorothy Turner, both of DeFuniak Springs, Florida, and Eunice Mims of Niceville, Florida; thirteen grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. 

Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 19, 2022, at Red Bay Church of Christ, 41 Church of Christ Road, Ponce de Leon, Florida, beginning at 12 p.m. with Minister Nathan Potter officiating. A time of visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Committal services will be held at Red Bay Cemetery in Ponce de Leon, Florida.

Arrangements and services are under the direction of Davis-Watkins Funeral Home of DeFuniak Springs, Florida.