Henry, Goodbye

HENRY S. BELL III, of Lakeland, TN, passed from this life on June 15, 2010 after a long illness. He was 49. Henry will especially be remembered for the courage and persistence he displayed throughout the past two years of his life. He will also be remembered for the remarkable compassion and gratitude he expressed toward his caretakers before and during his waning days. He was a gracious host for the family Christmas get-togethers and his lifelong fascination with bubble lights reflected his desire to keep the Christmas spirit in his heart all year long. Henry is survived by his mother, Carlene Bell of Memphis; his father, Henry S. Bell, Jr.; his stepmother, Jan and brother, Michael Bell of Germantown; his brother, Chris Bell and Chris’ fiancee’, Wendy Hamby of Cordova; and Henry’s loving companion of the past few years, Tess Mayfield of Memphis. He will be fondly remembered by his uncles and aunts, Robert H. Bell, Sr. of Memphis, Ted Bell of Palmer, AK, Joanne Bell of Memphis, Sharon and Ed Sharrow of Memphis, Tim Curry and Kathy Ladner of Memphis, Cherie and John Mallon of Charleston, SC. Also by his cousins, Robert Bell of Memphis, Jerry Bell of Olive Branch, MS, Shawn Mallon of Charlotte, NC, Dennis Mallon and Susan Davies of Goose Creek, SC and their families; and by Steve Steffens, significant other of Henry’s cousin, Lauren Hesse of Memphis, who passed away this year. As a youth, Henry was active in the Boy Scouts becoming an Eagle Scout, the Scouts’ highest rank. Henry graduated from Christian Brothers High School in 1979 and from State Technical Institute in 1983. His last employer was Federal Express, where he worked for over 19 years. There will be a visitation at Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Avenue, Friday, June 18 from 5-7 p.m. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 19 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 4851 Park Avenue, (901) 767-6949. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Henry’s name to the MDA/ALS Center of Memphis Mid-South, 8095 Club Pkwy., Cordova, TN 38016. (901) 725-8920. www.alsinfo.com or Memphis Food Bank, 239 S. Dudley Street, Memphis, TN 38104-3244. (901)527-0841.www.midsouthfoodbank.org. Memphis Funeral Home Poplar (901)725-0100www.memphisfuneralhome.net