George Bernard Bell 

Published 11:45 am Thursday, December 5, 2024

George Bernard Bell, 92, a resident of LaurelWoods, Columbus, NC, died Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at the Upstate Community Hospice House in Landrum, SC.

George was born in Washington, DC. He was the son of the late Richard Evans and Edith Mae (Tillou) Bell. He was pre-deceased by his three brothers, Richard, James, and Robert Bell and son-in-law Mark Overton. 

He enlisted in the United States Coast Guard and was a Veteran of the Korean War. He received an honorable discharge in April of 1952. George married Kathleen (Kay) McLellan in 1958. 

They raised six children and were married for 60 years before Kay died in 2018. He was her caregiver for the last six years of her life and was truly her hero. George worked as a Radio and Electric Mechanic for United Air Lines for 36 years before he retired in 1996. George was an avid golfer and fulfilled his dream of living on a golf course at the Links ‘O Tryon in Campobello, SC, during his retirement years. 

A lifelong Catholic, George was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Tryon, NC, for the past 27 years. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and was active in pro-life causes throughout the years. George was a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

George is survived by his children: Mary Elizabeth Pittman (Bruce), Potomac Falls, VA; Ann Marie Caravello, Woodstock, IL; Dr. George Christopher Bell (Heather), Hayden, ID; Margaret Mary Overton, Columbus, NC; Louise Marie Bell-Bernal (Omar), Centreville, VA; and Michael Thomas Bell (Anita), Pinellas Park, FL; 17 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. 

Visitation will be held on Friday, December 13, 2024, from 4:30 to 6:30 pm at McFarland Funeral Chapel in Tryon, NC, with rosary at 6:00 pm. Fr. Jason Christian will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church at 10:00 am on Saturday, December 14, 2024. Burial will be held afterward at Polk Memorial Gardens, Columbus, NC. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to EWTN and Tunnels to Towers. 

An online guest register is available at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com

McFarland Funeral Chapel

Tryon