Thomas Arthur Bell, age 71, of Blue Ridge, passed away Tuesday, November 24, 2015 at his home. He was born in Fannin County to the late Lloyd and Fair Ellna Magness Bell. He worked for the Roaster Department of Cities Services and later as a Custodian at Fannin County Middle School. He was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife of over 50 years, Lilly Jane Lewis Bell of Blue Ridge; son, Brian (Vicky) Bell of Blue Ridge; daughter, Crystal Bell (Eric) Schindler of Blue Ridge; grandchildren, April (Steve) Carroll, Aaron (Laura) Hughes, and Nathan (Janeesha) Hughes; great-grandchildren, Stephen Carroll, Noah Carroll, and Lydia Hughes; and his dog, Scooter.

Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, November 28, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church with Rev. Marvin Young, Rev. Kenneth Mann, and Rev. Mike Collis officiating. Interment will follow in the Salem #2 Baptist Church Cemetery. Lamont Glover, Aaron Hughes, Nathan Hughes, Steve Carroll, Glenn Lewis, and Bradley Davis will serve as pallbearers. The following gentlemen will serve as honorary pallbearers: Max Falls, Harold Hulsey, Grady Jack Bryson, Reid Mathis, Danny McFarland, Danny Davis, Donnie Dilbeck, Raymond White, Jr., Edward Lewis, Tommy Bell, William Dilbeck, and Weldon Davis. The family will visit with friends at the funeral home on Friday Evening, November 27, 2015, from 5:00 p.m. untill 9:00 p.m. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge is in charge of the arrangements