Thomas Bell Jr.

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Thomas Bell Jr., 50, husband of Stacy Bell, died Saturday, October 28, 2017, at the Medical University of South Carolina hospital in Charleston.

Born in Stamford, Connecticut, he was a son of Vashti Davis and the late Thomas Bell Sr. He was known as Coach Bell, Tommy, Mr. Bell, T. Bell and granddaddy. At an early age, he attended Westminster Presbyterian Church. His life was inspired by God and his family. He enjoyed being a devoted husband, father, educator, speaker and coach.

Bell graduated from Manning High School in 1985. He played on the school's football and baseball teams. He was a 1990 graduate of South Carolina State University, receiving a bachelor's degree in general business administration. In 1996, he received two certifications in special education. In 2007, he received a master's degree in education administration from Grand Canyon University.

In 1993, he was joined in holy matrimony to Stacy Huggins, his college sweetheart. Their union was blessed with four children, Jabril, Imani, Quadri and Staclyn.

He began his career as an educator with the Williamsburg School District in 1996, working for Kingstree High School. He worked in Clarendon School District 2 at Manning High School from 1997-2001. He served during that time as the junior varsity basketball coach and the junior varsity baseball coach. He joined Clarendon School District 1 in 2001, remaining there until his passing. During his time at Clarendon 1, he served as an assistant principal for Scott's Branch High School and as principal for Summerton Early Childhood Center. He also served as a special education teacher, an athletic director and coach.

His coaching experience included serving as the varsity boys' basketball coach, the varsity baseball coach, as a varsity football assistant coach, as the middle school boys' basketball coach and as the junior varsity boys' basketball coach.

Survivors besides his loving wife of Manning and his mother of Manning include his four children, Gabriel, Imani, Quadri and Staclyn, all of Manning; a grandson, Jamarion Bell of Manning; two brothers, Donta Bell and Marc Wilder, both of Tampa, Florida; a sister, Tamela (Eric) Edwards or Norwalk, Connecticut; his mother-in-law, Eva (Anderson) Huggins of Whitehall; a sister-in-law, Aretha Huggins of Whitehall; a brother-in-law, Anderson (Kim) of Fayetteville, North Carolina; his aunts, Cynthia (Glen) Kennedy of Greelevyille, Shelly "Sheila" Davis of Largo, Maryland, Cheryl Davis of Alcolu, Linda Davis of Columbia and Gwen Pierce, Maria Felder and Jacqueline Putler; his uncles, Charlie Bell, Allen Bell, Frank Thompson, Billy Thompson, Alfonso Thompson and John Bell; his grandaunts, Anna Burns and Lillie Mae McFadden, both of Alcolu, and Katie Davis of Sumter; his cousins, Kayla, Brent Karel and Ariel, all of Greeleyville, and Ryen Davis of Columbia; his stepmother, Nadine Bell of Tampa; lifetime friends George Hicks and Oscar Jones; and a number of loving nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Bell Sr.; his maternal grandparents, Lizzie Davis (Henry) Frierson; his paternal grandmother, Verdell Thompson; and two sisters, Lesley Mungo and Karen Jones.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, at the Scott's Branch High School gymnasium.

The family will receive friends at the home, 237 Brunson St. in Manning.

Palmer Memorial Chapel of Sumter is in charge of arrangements.