Thurman Ronnie Bell

Obituary: Thurman Ronald "Ronnie" Bell, age 80, of China Grove went to Heaven on Thursday, November 29, 2018 at CHS-NorthEast. Ronnie's family will receive friends at Whitley's Funeral Home on Saturday, December 15 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. His funeral will be held at 1:30 PM Sunday, December 16 at First Baptist Church in Salisbury with Rev. Kenneth Lance officiating. Burial will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park in China Grove. Ronnie was born September 6, 1938 in Raleigh, a son of the late Thurman "Shorty" Bell and Edna Broadnax Bell. He graduated from NC State with a degree in textile engineering. Ronnie was plant manager at China Grove Textiles, retiring in 2000. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Salisbury where he was active in congregational care and church up-keep. Ronnie loved his family, especially his grandchildren. He was an avid fisherman and loved his old roadster and his dogs. Ronnie was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. He will be dearly missed. In addition to his parents, Ronnie was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Judson "Bob" Bell and his granddaughter, Katherine "Katie" Leigh Smith. He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Shirley Swanner Bell of the home; his daughters, Rhonda Smith (Rick) of Rockwell and Andrea Dunn (Julian) of Wilmington; his sons, Brian Bell of Charlotte, Wes Bell (Amy) of Landis and Jeff Wilson (Kim) of Salisbury, and 4 grandchildren; Austin Bell, Grayson Bell, Sydney Wike (Gavin) and Luke Wilson. Online condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com and memorial donations can be made to First Baptist Church, 223 N. Fulton St. Salisbury NC 28144
Visitation: 6:00 to 8:00 PM Saturday December 15, 2018 Whitley's Funeral Home

Service: 1:30 PM Sunday December 16, 2018 First Baptist Church Salisbury, NC

Interment: West Lawn Memorial Park