Charles Edward “Ed” Bell, 82, of Blue Springs, Missouri, passed away on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 3rd, at First Baptist Church of Grain Valley, Grain Valley, MO, with Visitation from 11:00am – 12:00pm, Service at 12:00pm, followed by a Celebration of Life in the church gymnasium.
Ed was born November 5, 1942 in Harrisonville, Missouri, the son of Charley R. and Esther L. (Siemon) Bell. He grew up as a farm boy in Harrisonville and Pleasant Hill. He went to Kansas City Junior College while working in sales at Sears and Roebuck. Ed was in the first senior graduation class from Southwest Baptist College in Bolivar, MO. He pastored at Arcola Baptist Church in Arcola, MO while in college, then at Edinburg Baptist Church in Trenton, MO for 6 years, followed by Mt. Zion Baptist in Lee’s Summit, MO for 12 years, and finally at First Baptist Church of Grain Valley for 21 years, retiring in 2006. Following his retirement, Ed worked for almost 10 years at Royer Funeral Home as an on-staff Pastor and eventually got his funeral director’s license.
Known as Brother Ed, his ministry was majored on preaching, teaching, and building the local church. He was a community minded servant to schools, sports teams, and community activities. Ed was also a Chaplain for several Police Departments over the years. He conducted revivals in Missouri and Illinois and has also been involved in mission trips to Jamaica and Puerto Rico. He loved people and would do anything for anyone.
Ed was an avid reader and had an extensive home library. He enjoyed horses, dogs, old tractors, and old cars, and loved to hunt and fish.
Ed is survived by his wife, Judy Bell of the home; 2 sons, Jonathan Bell and wife Suzi, of Oak Grove, MO, and Jeremy Bell of the home; 4 grandchildren: Chris, Skyler, Austin, and Adison; 4 great-grandchildren: Tesla, Robert, Turner, and Rayne; and sister, Mary Ann Blevins of Independence, MO. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Gayla Lou Sinclair.
Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home, Oak Grove, Missouri