Randy L. Bell

May 18, 1959 - July 16, 2020

Randy L. Bell, 61, of Franklinton, passed away on Thursday, July 16, 2020 in the presence of family after a long battle with lung cancer. Born on May 18, 1959, in Franklinton, Louisiana, he was the son of Gloria Welch Bell and the late Thomas “Buster” Bell Jr. He retired a Seabee with the Navy's Mobile Construction Battalion 74 in Gulfport as one of his most recent duty stations. He proudly served with the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force during Desert Storm and was even awarded a Certificate of Commendation from the Commanding General for his leadership and devotion to his duties. Following his 20 years of military service, Randy began driving trucks for Leon Hickman Trucking delivering feed to local dairy farms, and later went on to have a long-lasting career driving for Parish Concrete, after his oldest son filled out his application and turned it in for him. He was very grateful for both his Navy family and his Parish Concrete family. Randy always loved building things and teaching his sons about life. He was a self-taught musician and loved playing the guitar, even though he only knew a few tunes. Randy also enjoyed woodworking. He was a New Orleans Saints Football fan but it was during the wrong seasons and he would turn the TV off during most games after a disappointing play. He later became a huge NASCAR fan and always pulled for Matt Kenseth. Randy was a fun loving, kind and caring man who enjoyed gardening and a whole lot of fishing but his greatest enjoyment was spending time with his family later in life. He is survived by his beautiful wife of 38 years, Heidi Ann Bell; three sons, Nathan and Becky Bell, Jeremy and Jessica Bell and Andrew and Amanda Bell; four grandchildren, Presleigh, Payton, Drake and Logan; mother Gloria Welch Bell; a brother, Ricky Bell; three sisters and a brother in law, Sharon Bell Sylvest, Sarah Denise Magee, Linda Bell-Bayard and Kenneth Bayard; two sister-in-laws, Karen Moore of Kentucky and Tami Elise of New York; a mother-in-law, Dorann Winch of Kentucky; his adopted dog, Beau, that he loved to take Jeep riding; several cousins, nieces, nephews and many other dear relatives. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Meghan Ashley Bell; his brother, Larry David Bell; his grandparents; and his other adopted dog Miley. Visitation will be at Crain Funeral Home Tuesday July 21st from 5:00 pm unitl 9:00 pm and after 9:00 am on Wednesday. A funeral service will be held in the funeral home chapel at 11:00 am Wednesday with Rev. Jimmy Hill and Rev. John Mark Franklin officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow in the Tyson Cemetery.