Tommy Bell

Tommy Ray Bell, age 80, of Murphy, North Carolina passed away on Thursday, November 6, 2025, in Blairsville, Georgia. Mr. Bell was born on October 7, 1945 to the late Thomas H. Bell and Bessie Johnson Bell Bailey . Tommy was also preceded in death by wife, Irene Cole Bell.

Tommy was a member of the New Liberty Baptist Church in Mineral Bluff, Georgia. He was a man with determination and you could always know where he stood on things. He had a deep love for his family and enjoyed spending time together with them. Tommy was always looking for a good place to enjoy a meal and would travel a great distance just to eat the meal. He had a passion for cars and had a mechanics ear for any repairs needed. He found that same passion in go-kart racing. If you knew Tommy, you would know about his keen sense of humor that he practiced by pulling pranks on unsuspecting targets. He will be greatly missed by those that knew him.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Martin Bell; daughter, Valerie (Fiancee' Donald Bailey) Reese of Blue Ridge , Georgia; son, Phillip (Missy) Ray Bell of Morganton, Georgia; brothers; Dan Bell of Arkansas, Mike Bailey of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, James Bailey of Hunington, Tennessee; half-brothers, Grady Bell of Atlanta, Georgia and Paul Craig of Cleveland, Tennessee; grandchildren, Kristie, Amanda, Amber and Sierra; great grandchildren, Kaisen, Kaieda, Cammie, Ethan, Aaron, Elly and Ian.

Funeral services are scheduled for Monday, November 10, 2025 at 11am from the Cochran-McDaniel Funeral Home Chapel in Blue Ridge, Georgia with Rev. Scott Ware officiating. The following gentlemen will be serving as pallbearers; Donald Bailey, Kyle Sylvestor, Josh Thompson, Doug Chastain, Kevin Lenz and Kaisen Lenz. Honorary pallbearer will be Pravin Vaitha. Interment will follow the funeral service in the New Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery in Mineral Bluff, Georgia. The family will be receiving friends in a time of visitation on Sunday evening, November 9, 2025, from 5pm until 8pm at the Cochran-McDaniel Funeral Home in Blue Ridge, Georgia.

Cochran-McDaniel Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Tommy Ray Bell. You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranmcdaniel.com