Obituaries

Dr. L. J. Patrick Bell

Photo of Dr. L. J. Patrick Bell
Dr. L. J. Patrick Bell, 86, of Pascagoula, Miss., formerly of Helena, passed away on Friday, May 27, 2011. He was born March 17, 1925 in Helena, Ark., to Dr. Louis J. Bell and Joyce Piosk Bell. He attended Sacred Heart Academy in Helena, Ark., and Christian Brothers College in Memphis, Tenn. Dr. Bell graduated from St. Louis University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Mo. In 1948, he worked his two year internship at Philadelphia General Hospital in Philadelphia, Pa. He continued with a surgery residency at St. John's Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1950, he enlisted into the Navy and following his basic training he was assigned to the Marines at Camp Pendleton for medical services. On Aug. 16, 1952, he married Joan Frances Seiler in Cleveland, Ohio. After his discharge from the Navy, he returned to Helena to establish his private practice until he retired at the age of 78. In 2005, he moved to Pascagoula, Miss. Dr. Bell is a former member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Helena and attended Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Our Lady of Victories Catholic Church in Pascagoula, Miss. He was awarded the Silver Beaver Award by the Boy Scouts of America. He served on the Board of Arkansas Foundation for Health Care in Little Rock and he was a former president of Southern Medical Assembly in Memphis, Tenn. Dr. Bell was a 4th degree Knights of Columbus. He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Joyce Bell Reilly. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Joan Seiler Bell, Pascagoula; three sons and one daughter, Dr. Louis Jesse Patrick Bell II (Ellen), Helena, Ark., Dr. Michael Francis Bell (Deborah), Russellville, Ark., Dr. Timothy James Bell (Cheri), Fort Smith, Ark., and Maura Bell Whitlock (Dr. Rick), Pascagoula; 16 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Pallbearers are Mathew Bell, Daniel Bell, Chris Bell, Steven Bell, Whit Whitlock, Spencer Whitlock, and Patrick Bell III; Honorary Pallbearers are Dr. John Barrow, Dr. Marion A. McDaniel, Richard Cox, and His (family employees of Helena Regional Medical Center). Rosary will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 31, 2011. Visitation from 7 p.m. till 8:30 at Roller-Citizens Chapel West Helena, Ark. Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church Wednesday, June 1, 2011. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery in Helena, Ark. Roller-Citizens Funeral Home has charge of local arrangements (870)572-2571. Because Dr. Bell strongly desired to do for the living, in lieu of flowers please send memorials to Our Daily Bread, 3502 Old Mobile Hwy, Pascagoula, Miss., 39581 or Boy Scouts Troop 230 of Resurrection Elementary in Pascagoula, Miss. You may send your condolences to his family or sign an online register at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.

Published May 30, 2011

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