Johnie E. Bell

Johnie Elmer Bell was born to Elza Bell and Julia Bradshaw Bell on March 26, 1921, in Douglas County, Missouri, near Bertha and passed away on January 15 at his residence in Mountain Grove, surrounded by his family, at 85 years of age.
Johnie grew up in Douglas County, the oldest of eight children. He attended Turkey Flat School, enjoyed fishing and swimming at Bryant Creek, and worked alongside his father on the family farm until entering the Army Air Force in July of 1942. He served honorably during World War II (in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre Campaign) and was awarded three bronze stars, as well as a good conduct medal, ribbons and five overseas bars. He was very patriotic and impressed that upon his family. After departing military service, Johnie returned to his family’s farm in Bertha in November of 1945.
He was united in marriage to Elva Jean Curtis on September 25, 1946, in Mountain Home, Arkansas. Three children were born to this union.
In the early 1950’s, Johnie purchased a dairy farm, north of Mountain Grove, and farmed there until 1966. Johnie then sold the farm and moved into Mountain Grove, retiring from Brown Shoe Company in February of 1985, after 33 years of employment.
A lifelong farmer, Johnie enjoyed being outdoors, tending to his farm and in his later years, taking care of a small vegetable garden. With three children, eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, he loved spending time with his family. Friday nights were often spent visiting with friends at the Souder Store, eating delicious food and listening to good music. Johnie attended Southside Baptist Church in Mountain Grove for many years. He was also a member of the local VFW chapter.
Preceded in death by his parents, Johnie is survived by wife, Jean Bell of Mountain Grove; son and daughter-in-law: Raymond and Glenda Bell, also of Mountain Grove, and their four sons: Kelly, Chris, Jamie and Jeremy; son and daughter-in-law: Reginald (Regie) and Linda Bell of Groveland, Florida; and their three sons: Ethan, Jonathan and Matthew; daughter: Lisa Swafford of Ozark, and her daughter: Sarah; four brothers: LZ and his wife, Geneva, of Mountain Grove, Marvin and his wife, Shirley, of Mountain Grove, Dale and his wife, Corrine, of Hartville, and
Paul and his wife, Virginia, of Mountain Grove; three sisters: Vina Buckbee and her husband, Jerry, of Mountain Grove, Reba Driskell of Drury and Judith Douthit and her husband, Jim, of Murfreesboro, TN; eight great-grandchildren; a number of nieces and nephews, as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Johnie Elmer Bell were held Thursday, January 18, 2007, in the Craig-Hurtt Chapel with Rev. Roger Flint of Southside Baptist Church officiating. Teresa Miller sang “Come To Jesus.” John and Shirley Shores and Iby and Ruth Edwards sang “Beulah Land,” and “Victory In Jesus.” Pallbearers were Johnie’s older grandsons: Kelly Bell, Chris Bell, Jamie Bell, Jeremy Bell, Ethan Bell and Jonathan Bell. Matthew Bell, six years old and the youngest grandson, also escorted the casket. Full military honors were given at the cemetery by the Lima Team with Jared Moore serving as bugler. Burial was in the Pleasant Home Cemetery, Douglas County, under the direction of the Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mtn. Grove, MO.