Lester MacArthur Bell

It is with a heavy heart that our family announce that our beloved husband and father, Lester MacArthur Bell, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday afternoon April 9, 2025, at the age of eighty-two. He is survived by his loving wife, Mrs. Audrey Ellen Dodd Bell of Lynchburg, VA (raised in Nellysford, VA) and his two sons, Mr. Eric Scott Bell (Kimberly Tyler Bell) of Richmond, VA and Mr. Kurt Jason Bell (Kelly Croft Bell) of Goode, VA. Also, he is survived by four grandsons and one granddaughter: Mr. Garrett Scott Bell and Mr. Ethan Grant Bell of Richmond, VA; Mr. Samuel Lewis Bell and Mr. Jason Wyatt Bell of Goode, VA; and Ms. Olivia Rowe Bell of Goode, VA. Lastly, he is survived by many nieces and nephews whom he loved to see on special reunion occasions.

He is preceded in death by his late parents: Mr. Lester Glover Bell and Mrs. Nora Elizabeth Floyd Bell of Arrington, VA and his sister and brother-in-law: Mrs. Shirley Temple Bell Thomas and Mr. Harold Oswald Thomas, Sr. of Arrington, VA.

A Funeral Service will be held at Wells Sheffield Funeral Chapel, 828 Front St. Lovingston, VA 22949, on Saturday April 19, 2025, at 2:00 p.m with Pastor John P. Campbell officiating. The family will be receiving friends and family before the service at 1:00 p.m. in the same chapel. Interment will follow in the Thomas Family Cemetery in Arrington. 

Les, as everyone affectionately called him, accomplished great things in his life. He was a loving and devoted husband to his wife Audrey for close to sixty-two years, the best man in both of his son’s weddings, and a lifelong mentor to all that would seek his sage advice and expertise. He was a loving father-in-law to two beautiful daughters-in-law who loved him like a father and a proud and doting grandfather to five accomplished grandsons and granddaughter.

Born in Lynchburg, Virginia on October 9, 1942, and raised in Nelson County near Arrington, Virginia, his humble beginnings could not contain his adventurous thirst for life. Playing basketball and baseball in high school, his competitive spirit shown through as he subsequently coached multiple young men in the sports he loved, and those men went on to become well respected men with families in their own communities. Les also was an excellent private pilot, always yearning to adventure off into the air on a beautiful and clear weekend morning.

Les was also emphatic about the virtues of education. He was the first in his family’s generation to earn an undergraduate and graduate degree at the University of Lynchburg. He did this at night over several years while working full-time to support his family. His example has led each of the next two generations of his family to strive for similar educational goals, attending and graduating from prestigious colleges and universities that he was immensely proud.

As a profession, Les’s career varied over forty-four years. He was an accomplished mechanical draftsman and manager with manufacturers such as General Electric. He also worked in personnel management, the specialty of his master’s degree, for a number of firms over the years. Lastly, his engaging and magnetic personality made him a natural and successful salesman to conclude his career.

Most of all, Les was a devoted uncle and life-long friend to all those that had the privilege of knowing him. Our hearts ache knowing we will not get to see him on this earth again and his absence leaves a hole in all our souls, but we rejoice in knowing he is in a better place. Till the day we see him again, we will remember his gracious smile, quick sense of humor, competitive spirit, curious nature, and love of life. God bless him and bless all of you who knew him. We will miss our beloved patriarch.