Simeon "Simmie" Louis Bell of Athens, Georgia, formerly of Adel, Georgia, passed away on January 2, 2018. He was born December 20th, 1927, in Burke County to the late John Wesley Bell, Sr., and Dora Almond Bell. He attended North Georgia College in Dahlonega, Georgia; University of Georgia; and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College where he obtained an associate's degree in agriculture. He served in the United States Army at the end of World War II and was stationed in Korea until the end of his service where he served as chief baker in the hospital.

Mr. Bell became a teacher in the Veterans Farming Program in Adel until the Veterans Program ended. He worked in construction at the Savannah River Plant for Dupont as an engineering technician. For his career he worked for the US Soil Conservation Service for over 30 years, retiring as soil conservationist for Cook, Berrien, and Lanier counties for 15 of those years.

He enjoyed farming, camping, being with family, playing practical jokes, and believed in using his hands more than his mouth. He was a member of the Young Farmers Association of Cook County; United Methodist Men; served as director of Cook County Farm Bureau; Masons, where he was Grand Mason for more than 50 years; and Shriners. He was a member of United Methodist Church of Adel, serving as head usher for many years, with an affiliate membership at Winterville United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Betty Fulwood Bell; daughters Karen Bell Griffin and husband, Doug Griffin, of Athens, Sybil Bell Coody and husband, Tim Coody, of Augusta, and son Greg Bell and wife, Andrea Bell, of Gainesville, Georgia; brother Rev. Grover Bell and Deanie Bell of Savannah; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, John Bell and sister, Betty Jean Schweitzer.

The family received family and friends Friday, January 5, 2018 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Boone Funeral Home South with the service being held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, January 6th at the Adel United Methodist Church with Rev. Bruce Merriman and Rev. Grover Bell officiating. Interment followed at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. Jake Griffin, Brad Coody, Mitch Reames, Bo Reames, Robert Dickerson, Ryan Malloy, Matthew Hammond and Steve Wood served as active pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers included Judy and Chris Hicks (caretakers of Mr. Bell), Simmie King, Michael Benefield, Harold and Montene Wood, Martha Sue McEachern, Farinda Jones, Bob and Jeanie Liedberg, Billy and Betty Patton, Bettye Coleman and a group of Mr. Bell's camping friends. The church choir under the direction of Dr. Mary Sue Ward sang "How Great Thou Art" and "It Is Well With My Soul;" Tim Coody performed "Amazing Grace" on trumpet at the graveside. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.boonefunerals.com. --Boone Funeral Home of Adel has been entrusted with all arrangements.