Atwood James "Buddy" Bell, Sr., 94, died Thursday February 8, 2018 at St. Bernard's Hospital in Jonesboro after a long and wonderful life.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Betty (Williams) Bell.

He leaves his four children Cynthia "Cindy" Holifield (Cecil) of Jonesboro, Barbara Messier (Will) of Saratoga Springs, NY, Jennifer "Jemmer" Cates (Mark) of Jonesboro, Atwood James "Pat" Bell, Jr of Jonesboro; seven grandchildren Robert Atwood Holifield (Katherine) of Washington D.C., Emily Holifield LaLone (Keith) of Glens Falls, NY, Gabrielle Ann Messier of Lake Station, Indiana, Alexandra Frances Messier, Abigail Betty Messier, Wilfred Paul "Will" Messier III, all of Saratoga Springs, NY; Aaron Samuel Bell, II (Alley) of Little Rock; four great-grandchildren Cecil Atwood LaLone, John Atwood Holifield, James Billimack Holifield, and Derek Charles Anteau. Additionally, his nephew Richard "Dickey" Darouse (Peggy); niece Wanda Fay Tonnahill (Jimmy); niece Patricia Kifer (Gary); five great nieces and two nephews Karen, Lisa, Jennifer, and Kenneth Tonnahill; Todd and Leigh Ann Darouse.

Born and raised on North Fisher Street in Jonesboro, the son of Aaron Samuel "Pat" and Frances Ruth Tidmore Bell, he was a lifelong resident of Jonesboro.

In his early years Buddy loved all sports and was a letterman at Jonesboro High School where he graduated in 1942. He worked for a while at Home Ice Co. and Cotton Belt Rail Road Co. and was drafted into U.S. Army in 1943. He served 27 months in the China Burma India Theater of WWII. He entered Arkansas State College in 1946 and graduated in 1950 with a B.S. in Business AD under the G.I. Bill and the R.O.T.C. He served another tour in the Army during the Korean War as a 2nd Lieutenant. He continued his education and earned a Master of Science in Education in 1962.

He served the community as the Director of the Little League. In the summer of 1966 He was the first director of Head Start in Jonesboro. He served the Jonesboro Public School system for more than 30 years, most notably as the Principal of Annie Camp Junior High and the first Director of Athletics for Jonesboro. In 2013 he was inducted into the Arkansas Activities Association Hall of Fame.

Buddy had a love for history and was a true student of life. He was a golf enthusiast and a football fanatic. He was able to enjoy his last years of life at his home with his family thanks to his children and especially his daughter Jennifer.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00pm on February 14, 2018 at Fisher Street United Methodist Church in Jonesboro. Family will receive visitors in the fellowship hall directly after services. Gregg-Langford Bookout Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Memorials can be made to the Fisher Street United Methodist Church, 301 N. Fisher St., Jonesboro, AR 72401.