Rachel Eliza James Bell, a beloved mother, grandmother, and matriarch, passed away peacefully on Memorial Day, May 25, 2026, at the age of 93. Born on the Fourth of July in 1932, Rachel brought a lifetime of light, warmth, and devotion to everyone who knew her.

Rachel was a woman of profound faith and family devotion. She spent 59 beautiful years walking hand-in-hand through life and ministry alongside her husband, the late Rev. James Lee Bell. Together, they built a legacy of love, service, and community. Rachel took immense pride in upholding a Christian home, centering her days around daily devotions, supporting her local church, and quietly giving back to multiple charities.

Known for her steadfast standards, she was a person who took great pride in keeping a clean, welcoming home. She expressed her love through her exceptional cooking, known for serving up some good southern-inspired spaghetti, chicken-n-pastry and pecan pies. Above all, she was dedicated to teaching sound morals and life practices to her children and grandchildren, ensuring they grew up with a strong foundation of faith and character.

She will be welcomed into heaven by her beloved husband James Bell; her parents, Walter Raleigh James and Lizzie Louvenia Thompson James; her ten brothers and sisters; and her cherished grandson, Samuel Ray Austin Bell.

Rachel's memory and spirit will live on through her devoted family. She is survived by her two sons and their wives, who were the pride of her life: Jimmy Ray Bell and his wife, Tina, of Florence, SC; and Luther Ervin Bell and his wife, Debbie, of Easley, SC. Also surviving is her loving and devoted sister, Zannie Ruth James Brown of Rocky Point, NC.  She was the proud grandmother of five surviving grandsons and their wives: Timothy Bell (Sara), Phillip Bell (Melissa), Stephen Bell (Kelli), Bryan Bell (Leigh), and Harrison Bell (Chelsea). An added blessing though marriage of one of her sons are two step-grandchildren, Kristi Finley and Sean Teaster. Affectionately known as "GG" to the youngest generations of her family, Rachel leaves behind eleven great-grandchildren, two step great-grandchildren and a total of seven great-great-grandchildren, all of whom brought immense joy to her later years. A joy throughout her life were the numerous nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly and of which she counted as extra blessings direct from God. She delighted in being called Aunt Rachel.

Rachel's life was defined by her unwavering love for her family, her gentle spirit, and her steadfast grace. She will be deeply missed, but her legacy of love and lessons will forever remain in the hearts of those she held dear.

A graveside service at the James Family Cemetery, Wallace, NC (located between Pin Hook and Cypress Creek on Lightwood Bridge Road), will be held Sunday afternoon, May 31, 2026 at approximately 3:00 pm with visitation with family and friends beginning at 2:00 pm. Rachel's grandson, Rev. Dr. Harrison James Bell will officiate.

The funeral homes of both Floyd Family Funeral Home of Laurens, SC and Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home of Wallace, NC have the honor and privilege of serving the Bell family.