Jurden Braxton Bell Jr.

Published 5:29 pm Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Jurden Braxton Bell Jr. (JB)
March 11, 1941 – Dec. 27, 2015

J.B. Bell Jr.

Mr. Jurden Braxton Bell Jr. (JB), also known as “Bear” to his friends, 74, resident of 8865 N.C. Hwy 99 North of the Pungo Community, died unexpectedly at his home Sunday, December 27, 2015.

Funeral services are planned for 11:00 AM Thursday, December 31, 2015 at Union Grove Church of Christ with ministers Phillip Paul and Scott Askew officiating. Burial will follow in Davis Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at Union Grove and other times at the home.

Jesse Respess, Casey Bell, Eric Bell, Justin Allen, Eddie Bryant Harris Jr. and Mike Harris will serve as pallbearers.

Jimmy Dugger, Norman Allen, Hallas Boyd, Jeffery Allen, Martin Harris, James Riddick, Junior Hart, Milton Elliott and James “Pop” Webb will serve as honorary pallbearers.

JB was born in the Pungo community on March 11, 1941 to the late Braxton and Henrietta Hodges Bell. He was a 1959 graduate of Pantego High School. JB was known as a pioneer in agriculture as well as a brilliant businessman. In the early 1970s, he was known as the largest hog farmer east of the Mississippi. JB managed the family farm (Bell Farms Inc.) until his retirement in 2001.

On August 5, 1997, JB married the love of his life and best friend of 20 years, Brenda Dugger Bell, who preceded him in death on August 5, 2007. Prior to his wife’s death, they spent many days deep-sea fishing, which was a hobby they both shared and loved.

Survivors include two sons, Jurden Braxton “Jay” Bell III (Pammy) and Vernon Bell (Jennifer), both of the Pungo community; two daughters, Teresa Bell O’Dell (Kevin) of Windsor, and Sheila Bell Smith (Dewey) of Washington; seven grandchildren, Eric Bell (Stephanie), Casey Bell (Cameron), Jessica Bell Hubers (Shawn), Jenna Bell Williams (Scott), Tyler Bryant O’Dell (Jenna), Kyle Braxton O’Dell, Kassidy Irene O’Dell, Donnie Smith and Devin Smith; four great-grandchildren; one sister, Mary Ella Respess (Hassell) of Belhaven; two brothers, Joe Bell and Roland Bell (Karen); and three brothers-in-law, Zeno Wright, Jimmy Dugger and Johnny Dugger; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and wife, JB was preceded in death by a sister, Carolyn Bell Wright, in May 2015.

Along with being a great friend, a brilliant farmer, JB was most of all the “Rock” to his children and grandchildren.

Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to the Beaufort County Relay for Life, Attn: Memorials, P.O. Box 2708, Washington, N.C. 27889.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home of Belhaven is honored to serve the Bell family.