Stanley Ray Bell

Stanley Ray Bell, 59, of Bell City, passed away on January 21, 2026, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born on May 4, 1966, to the late Bobby and Paulette (Cureton) Bell, in Dexter. Stanley was a 1984 graduate from Bell City High School. He was a proud United States Army Veteran, serving from 1984 to 1987, during which time he was stationed in Germany with some of his local Bell City friends and able to see the country.

Mr. Bell was a truck driver by trade hauling fuel for several companies like MFA Oil, Pilot and Hutter Oil. After his years of hauling fuel, he started hauling grain and helped farm for several of the local Bell City area farmers. He had a special place in his later years, helping Lynn and Brent Thompson with Thompson Farms. The relationship between the Thompsons’ and Stanley went deeper than just help, they were great friends, neighbors and a set of people that could always count on one another.

“Big Stan” loved to hunt, and he loved his guns. The stories throughout his life would bring much more than a smile, it would make you bust out laughing. The music was always turned up loud, vehicles were always a mess, and you could always bet, you were going to go eat somewhere. He was well known for eagerness to help anyone that needed a thing.  Even if it was an inconvenience, “Bell” would help anyone at any time.  

Stanley called home with his mother, Paulette, after the passing of his father, for several years, helping his sister, Barb, raise his only two nephews, Eric and Logan. He was more than just an uncle to the boys; he was a father figure and someone they could rely on to get them through life’s journeys.  Stanley later married Michelle Parks Bowen on October 19, 2019, where he gained not only a wife and companion, but he also gained a daughter, McKenzie. It meant the world to Stanley to come home to a family every day and he found great joy in the adventures he went on with his wife and daughter. They spent time at the lake, vacations, flying in helicopters and even a cruise.

He is survived by his wife: Michelle Bell; daughter: McKenzie Bowen; sister: Barbara Bell (Paul) Stahl; and his two nephews: Eric and Logan Pendergrass. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Services will be held at his nephew’s funeral home; the Hutchings-Pendergrass Funeral Chapel in Marble Hill.

Visitation will be from 2:00 to 6:00 pm, on Monday, January 26, 2025.

Pallbearers will be Brent Thompson, Scotty Lewis, Brian Wilcox, Levi St.Crye,  Bobby Parks and Michelle Bell. 

Honorary Pallbearers are Logan Pendergrass, McKenzie Bowen and “Professor” Glenn Adams. 

Funeral Service will begin at 10:00 am, on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, with one of his best friends, Bro. Mike Lee officiating. Burial will follow at Gravel Hill Cemetery near Bell City, with full military honors.