Perry Bell, 63

BRIDGEVILLE - Perry Bell of Bridgeville passed from this life to his Heavenly home on Monday, Nov. 5, 2007, in Nanticoke Memorial Hospital, Seaford. He was 63.

Mr. Bell was born in Columbia, to the late Archie Bell and Louise Winder.

Perry was a dedicated member of Mount Olive Baptist Church, Bridgeville, where he served faithfully as one of the church's guitarists.

He was a collector of classic guitars and amplifiers, and he enjoyed playing gospel music to the Glory of God. As he often stated, he could "make a guitar talk."

Perry also collected and built remote and model cars.

In addition to his love of church and gospel music, he was truly a people person.

He always had a willing spirit to assist all, especially the elderly ladies in his community.

Perry loved to cut grass and landscape lawns, as well as tinkering on engines and appliances.

Perry did not have a driver's license, but he rode a bicycle every day, in the sun, rain or snow. Weather conditions meant nothing to him. He could carry as many packages on his bicycle as most people could carry in the trunks of their vehicles.

He was the neighborhood delivery man for anyone who needed anything.

Then there was the exploratory side of Perry. For there was not one appliance invented or manufactured that Perry could not and would not take apart to see what made it operate.

Prior to his retirement, Perry worked for many years as a laborer at The Valliant Fertilizer Co. and at H.P. Cannon's Vegetable Processing Co.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving and devoted companion, Delores "Dee" McDowell; and his best friend who was his co-church guitarist, Brother Art Lindsey.

He leaves to cherish his memories one son, Juan Washington of Ocean City, Md.; one brother, Charles and his wife Jacquelyn Bell of Harrington; his companion Delores' children, Keith Roach and John McDowell Jr., whom he cherished as his own sons, both of Philadelphia; Delores' six grandchildren and Delores' six great-grandchildren, all of whom he loved as his very own; Delores' uncle, Thelton Smith of Milford; Delores' brother and sister, Garland and Mickey Savage, both of Seaford; a very dear and devoted friend, who was like a daughter to him, "Peebles" of Seaford; his "Golden Girls" who were also his neighbors, whom cared for him as surrogate mothers, Frances Polk, Shirley Cropper, Lucille Rooks and Virginia Williams, all of Bridgeville; one of his best buddies, Donald "Dude" Evans of Bridgeville; and the Rev. Woodrow Evans and his entire Mount Olive Church family.

Funeral services will be 6 p.m. Thursday at Mount Olive Baptist Church, First Street, Bridgeville, where the Rev. Woodrow Evans will deliver the eulogy.

Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.

Professional services by Deborah E. Harris-Nock Funeral Services, Greenwood.