Everett’s Obituary Everett Lynn Bell, 69, of Warsaw, peacefully left this Earth on Sunday, May 5, 2019, at Good Samaritan Care Center in Cole Camp. He was born on September 23, 1949, at Cushman, Arkansas, a son of Matthew and Mildred Maxine (Moore) Bell. Everett was Valedictorian of his class, graduating from Cushman High School in May 1967.
He obtained his higher education in Point Lookout, Missouri, at the School of the Ozarks and it was there in December 1967 that Everett met the love of his life, Sandra Mae Russell. They dated several years and were married by Everett’s uncle, Raymond Lassiter, at Blue Eye, Missouri, on December 18, 1970. Everett graduated from the School of the Ozarks with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, and began his career with the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1972.
Warsaw became home to the Bell family in 1980 when Everett was appointed Park Manager at Harry S Truman Dam and Reservoir, where he remained until his retirement in July 2005 as Project Manager. Everett was dedicated to his family, a loving father to his children, and practiced a strong work ethic that he instilled in his children. He led by example, and over the years, many pounds of black walnuts were harvested as he taught his work ethic to them.
Everett was successful in these lessons and the achievements that his children have accomplished gave him many reasons to be a proud father. He was a great “fixer” of vehicles, bikes, and anything that needed fixing, and, because he loved to help people, he was always on the lookout for a way to help someone. Over the years, he and his family cut many, many loads of firewood and gave it to people, as well as mowing the lawn for many years for Curtis and Grace Palmer, who were considered another set of grandparents to his children.
Everett had a kind, compassionate spirit and was a loyal friend. He loved to laugh and brought fun with him, having the ability to turn any gathering into an enjoyable event with Everett as the entertainment! Family and friends remember many great times with Everett and his contagious wit and laughter, which some have described as “laughing fits” that often resulted in Everett being red-faced and breathless.
Everett was a huge fan of older country music. He knew every word in the lyrics of these old songs and sometimes, without warning, he would break out and begin singing one of them – often making the song more entertaining by inserting his own hilarious lyrics as he went along. Everett was a poet and took pleasure in creating a funny, rhyming oratory about almost any subject, always laughing as he did it.
He covered many subjects as a story-teller, but his childrens’ favorites were the bedtime stories that Everett would create for them about the adventures of two fictional American Indians named Grey Eagle and Silver Fox. Everett and Sandra’s home was always open and inviting to “the cousins”, “the Bloders” and other special friends and neighbors. He was endearingly known as “Bub”, “The Troll”, “Papa Smurf”, and “Dad 2”.
Many great memories were made at these events which often included yummy homemade ice cream made by Everett. Everett organized an annual rabbit hunt for his buddies for many years, which had the reputation of being a very fun event. Everett also liked to set trot-lines in the lake and he readily shared the resulting fish.
He was a master at keeping the oil in the fryers at just the right temperature to create perfect fish fillets, and often worked for hours to fry enough fish, fries and hush-puppies for the large groups of family and friends. Everett was a blessing to many, having the ability to make people feel special. Everett became a believer in Christ in 1975 and attended Evening Shade Mennonite Church.
Everett was preceded in death by his brother, Hassell Bell, in January 2019. Everett lived a full life as a father, husband, and friend and will be greatly missed by his wife, Sandra, and by his five children, Dr. Amie (David) Breshears of Warsaw; Abby (Tom) Houston of Marshfield; Dr. Eric (Jessica) Bell of Fayetteville, Arkansas; Alana (Matt) Hutchison of Mount Vernon; and Dr. Brent (Alyssa) Bell of Wentachee, Washington; by his parents, Matthew and Maxine Bell, of Marshfield; his brother, Randy (Charlotte) Bell of Killeen, Texas; his sister-in-law, Lavon Bell of Marshfield; eleven grandchildren, Curtis, Allie, Benton, Addison, Afton, Henry, Rowan, Amelie, Sullivan, Izzy, and Jasper; and by many friends, relatives and in-laws. Everett was one of a kind, admired and respected by many.
He suffered many years from Parkinsons Disease, which slowly stole him away. He fought a long, hard fight, and now is at peace in the presence of his Savior, leaving many special memories of the amazing man that he was to comfort his family and friends. Memorial services will be held at the Harry S Truman Visitor Center, 29027 Visitor Center Road, Warsaw, Missouri, at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, with visitation to follow.
In honor of his many years of service on the Warsaw R-IX School Board, the family suggests memorial contributions be given to Warsaw Education Foundation Endowment Fund, PO Box 1543, Warsaw, MO 65355.
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