Weaverville – Hundreds of people turned out to pay their respects to a man who touched their lives, waiting hours to offer comfort and condolences to his family—the man, Joseph “Joe” Bell, 74, of Weaverville.
Bell, whose battle with cancer only lasted weeks, “went to be with the Lord on Saturday, January 21, 2023, at his home,” as his obituary stated. One man at the visitation said only weeks earlier, Bell was fixing a peach cobbler for him and his wife at dinner. “It was good too, really good.”
“Joe spent his life teaching, coaching, mentoring, speaking for Gideon’s International, and serving his Lord,” which was evident by the outpouring of love at the visitation, where people stood in line and sat for hours waiting their turn to offer their sympathies. The visitation was attended not only by Bell’s friends and colleagues but also by students and athletes he had taught and coached over the years, with a large group of teenagers coming as a group. “He was the nicest man I ever knew,” said a local Weaverville businessman.
“He [has been] a faithful member of Flat Creek Baptist Church since 1977, where he has served in many different roles with the church. He was a deacon, served on several committees, and was a Sunday school teacher. He also served the community in many different ways. Food was a language of love for Joe. One of his favorite ways of serving his community was by taking food to the WNC Rescue Mission. Most of the time, it was food that they could not acquire easily or readily.
“Joe was known as “Coach Bell” for being a football and track coach. However, it was more than coaching for him. It was an investment in young lives. He formed many special and lifelong bonds with these student-athletes and their families.
Attendees to the visitation, held at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, on Thursday evening had come from near and far to be there. One woman drove from New Mexico to be there for the family and pay her final respects to a man and his wife that had made a difference in her life while she was attending college at Mars Hill.
“He had a way of making everyone he met and came into contact with feel like they were the most important person,” stated his obituary.
“Joe is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Willda Young Bell; he is also survived by his son, Grayson Bell, and wife, Cindy; two daughters, Emily Wheeler and husband, Charlie, and Adria and husband, Daryl Whittemore; and grandchildren, Brooke Davis, Collin Wheeler, Camden Herron, Hailey Wheeler, Jackson Bell, Sadie Whittemore, Dawson Gregory, Laney Whittemore, Bentley King, Sophia King, Charlie King, and, coming in April, Lee Herron.”
His funeral was also held at 11 a.m. on Friday at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. The Reverends Brian Hanrahan and Keith Watkins officiated.
The family has asked, “in Joe’s memory…contributions” should be made to Gideons International, P.O. Box 2292, Weaverville, NC 28787.” They also “extend a huge thank you to everyone who has called, sent a card, brought food, or visited.” Bell has left a big hole in the educational community, especially in the North Buncombe area.