John Roger Bell

John Roger Bell, 71, entered into rest on July 31, 2022.

If you asked a hundred people who Roger was, they’d all give you a different answer. A saint. Superhero. Jokester. Chicken wing aficionado. Gentle giant. Man of his word. Baseball coach. Hard worker. Dog whisperer. Pawn shop enthusiast. Lover of God, family, guns, and the simple things in life that money can’t buy.

Roger was all these things and more—a person of the highest integrity with a heart bigger than his prized Snapper riding lawn mower. So it’s no surprise that in the end, after loved ones were certain his mind and spirit had entered Heaven, his heart wouldn’t quit beating for several more hours.

Roger held no grudges and attracted no enemies—rare attributes embodied by only the rarest of men. It’s common knowledge among folks who knew him that if you can’t get along with Roger Bell, your gettin’-along-with-people button must be broken. Bless your heart.

He died peacefully at home in North Augusta, SC, surrounded by loved ones after a courageous battle with lung complications. Sadly, the last several months of his life were burdened by long hospital stays—a predicament that no able-bodied, strong, and self-sufficient man like Roger would find welcoming.

However, this setback was mitigated by a host of family and friends who stayed by his side and provided him with constant love and comfort. Most notably, his loving wife of 27 years, Kathy (aka “my bride” and “my best friend in the whole wide world”), who’s been a registered nurse for 35 years, provided an invaluable level of care alongside his official caretakers. Although nurses aren’t supposed to play favorites with patients, it’s no secret she definitely had one.

Roger was born in Greenville, SC, on August 11, 1950, to parents Christine and John Dean Bell. The youngest of two children (separated by 12 years), Roger had the good fortune of an almost mother-like relationship with his saintly sister, Linda Locke, affectionately known as “Linda Lou” to most, and “Sis” to him.

He worked for Carolina Scales in West Columbia, SC, for 49 years before retiring in 2019. It was the only company he ever worked for, which is fitting for a man so loyal as he was. He loved his work family and customers, and the feeling was certainly mutual.

Roger is survived by his wife, Kathryn McFerrin Bell, daughter Angela Bell Docherty (Howard), son Michael Bell, daughter Melissa Fleming (Eldon), and six grandchildren: Callie Bell, Cameron Docherty, Katie Docherty, Samantha Fleming, Leslie Fleming, Raymond Drew Fleming, and one great-grandchild, Ada Bell. He is also survived by his sister Linda Bell Locke, nephew Kenneth Locke (Tammy), and niece Sharon Locke Quarles (Mark). He is preceded in death by his parents, Christine and John Dean Bell, niece Brenda Locke Flanagan, and brother-in-law Jim Locke.

A visitation will be held at Platt's Funeral Home, 721 Crawford Ave in Augusta, on Tuesday, August 2, 2022, from 7-9pm. The funeral will be held at Sweetwater Baptist Church, where Roger was a longtime member, 198 Sweetwater Rd, North Augusta, SC 29860, on Wednesday, August 3, 2022 at 11am. The service will be officiated by Dr. Paul Noe and Rev. Joel Conner. The burial will directly follow at Sweetwater Baptist Church Cemetery.

Pallbearers are Kenneth Locke, Mitch Locke, Cameron Docherty, Mark Quarles, Frank Andrews, and Timothy McFerrin. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any memorial donations or contributions be made to Sweetwater Baptist Church.

Roger had planned a beach trip to beautiful Siesta Key, Florida, this November with his wife Kathy, best bud Frank Andrews, and Frank’s wife Cheryl. But as it turns out, God felt Siesta Key wasn’t good enough for a man like Roger, so he intervened and chose a more fitting paradise.