Frank Bell Jr.

Celebrating the Life of Mr. Frank Bell, Jr.

Mr. Frank Bell, Jr. was born on May 9, 1928 to Frank Bell, Sr. and Naomi Corley Bell in Seguin, Texas, Guadalupe County. He was the second of four children born to this union. Frank grew up in the Sand Hills Community where he received his early childhood education at Roosevelt School.

Frank, affectionately called “Jr. Boy,” moved to San Antonio, Texas with his parents where he attended Douglas Junior High School and graduated in 1946 from Wheatley High School. Frank continued his education at St. Philip’s and San Antonio Colleges. He was an avid learner, always taking classes and receiving certifications in computers, electronics, and air conditioning/heating. Frank is the only person his children knew who would read the entire ‘How To’ Manual before using his new computers.

Frank retired as the Postmaster of the Wharton Post Office in Wharton, Texas after 35 years of service in the United States Postal Service. He served as the President of the Wharton Kiwanis Club. He began his career with the United States Postal Service as a Letter Carrier, a Postal Source Data Technician, and a Station Supervisor in San Antonio, Texas. Frank was the President of the San Antonio Chapter, National Alliance of Postal and Federal Employees, where he worked to help accomplish the 1971 Postal Reorganization Bill. This bill changed the Old U.S. Post Office into the U.S. Postal Service.

During his retirement, Frank was a member of the City of San Antonio Mechanical Board of Appeals where he served three terms. He was a member of the San Antonio Alamo City Lions Club. Frank served as the Vice President of the Coliseum-Willow Park Neighborhood Association and was a charter member and officer of the 1946 Wheatley High School Class Reunion Committee.

Frank accepted Christ at an early age while attending St. James Methodist Church, Seguin, Texas. When he and his family moved to San Antonio, Texas from Seguin in 1941, they joined Jacob’s Chapel United Methodist Church where he has remained a faithful member until his death. During the 1968-69 Merger of the Central Jurisdiction with the other geographical conferences into the United Methodist Church, Frank served as one of Jacob’s Chapel’s Representatives in the West Texas Conference. He served as the Church Lay Leader for many years, as well as, Finance Chairman, Trustee Chairman, Men’s Sunday School Teacher, member of the United Methodist Men, Men’s Choir, and the Courtesy Committee. Frank loved his church and served with great dedication. During his retirement years, Frank would open the church every Sunday morning before his health would not allow him to do so.

Frank and his wife, Selena Williams Bell, of sixty seven years, are parents of four children; Larry Edwin Bell (Margie) who preceded him in death, Janet Bell Odom (Elzie, Jr.), Angela Elois Bell, and Kathy Bell-Luster (Randy). He leaves his six grandchildren; Asheley Odom Brown (Jeffery), Victoria Odom Sanders (Wilkie), Christopher Adam Bell, Elzie D. Odom, III, Jennifer Camille Luster, and Malcolm Lamar Luster; and great grandchildren, Devin Brice Brown, Carter Blake Brown, and ‘Baby Sanders’(on the way).

Frank loved his family. He encouraged them to achieve academic excellence while understanding one’s purpose in life. He poured into them the need of having strong family bonds.

Frank also leaves to cherish his memory; sister, Lou Ella Williams, brother, James L. Bell; sister-in-law, Almeda DeVaughn, and brother-in-law, Gillis Williams, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, neighbors, and church members.