Charles Everett Bell

Charles Everett Bell- known as CB, Charles, or simply “sir”(depending on context and how brave you were feeling)-passed away on Monday, April 20, 2026, at the age of 78. He died at home in Hinesville, Georgia, under the care of hospice, with his two sons by his side.

Born just outside of New Bern, North Carolina, on November 3, 1947, Charles spent his childhood and teenage years in New Bern and never stopped claiming it. His faith took root early there as well, shaped by long days and nights following his daddy to tent revivals, where the gospel was preached plainly, powerfully, and without embellishment- much like Charles himself would later live. That foundation stayed with him always.

He never abandoned his loyalty to the North Carolina Tar Heels, a devotion he maintained regardless of standings, opinions, or logic. He believed deeply in fundamentals, strong defense, and calling things exactly as you saw them- on the court, in life, and in faith.

At 18 years old, newly married to Linda Diane Kruske, Charles enlisted in the United States Army, beginning a 22year career that included service during the Vietnam War, commendations for bravery and valor, and a steady rise through the ranks until his retirement in 1987 as a Chief Warrant Officer Three (CW3). To those who served with him, he was direct, fair, and never unclear about expectations- you always knew where you stood. His beliefs were steady and his words mattered.

During his first marriage, Charles and Linda raised two children while navigating military life, long separations, college, frequent moves, and everything that came with them. That chapter shaped not only his family, but the tone he carried through the rest of his life- grounded, disciplined, and quietly guided by faith rather than talk.

After retiring from the Army, Charles entered the world of logistics, where life opened a second long and meaningful chapter. He later married Melanie “Lynn” Allen, whom he met while working in the field. Together, they became devoted foster parents, opening their home to many children over several years. Their love of fostering led them to adopt four children they simply could not let go of, and later to welcome one child together, growing their family to seven. Through patience, structure, laughter, prayer, and unmistakable honesty, they earned numerous awards recognizing their service- though Charles would have brushed that off and changed the subject.

Charles’s love of people showed up most clearly around the holidays. Christmas at his house was never small- it was loud, crowded, and full by design. Friends, family, former foster children, neighbors, teammates, and anyone who didn’t have somewhere else to go always seemed to find their way through the door. The food was plentiful, the opinions were strong, the laughter was constant, and no one stayed a stranger for long. To Charles, the more people around the table, the better- and he believed there was always room for one more.

Charles loved sports, and the sidelines were one of his favorite places to be. Basketball, softball, baseball, football- if kids were playing, he was coaching. Known simply as “Coach” to countless young people, he believed no kid lacked enough talent to learn. He taught fundamentals loudly, corrected mistakes plainly, and praised effort honestly. Sugarcoating was never part of the program.

Off the field, Charles found joy in carpentry, creating solid, nononsense furniture- handmade pieces affectionately known as “Dad originals”- many of which still proudly live in his children’s homes. If it was built right, it lasted. If it wasn’t, well…he could tell you exactly why.

He never passed up an opportunity to spend a day on the water and was always willing to hop into his son Chris’s boat for a fishing trip. Whether the fish were biting or not mattered less than the time spent, the conversation (or silence), and the chance to be outdoors enjoying God’s creation in a way that needed no words.

Charles was famously known for his wildly inappropriate humor and total lack of filters. He said exactly what he was thinking, exactly when he was thinking it. You never had to guess. If he liked you, you knew. If he didn’t agree with you, you definitely knew. And if he respected you, that respect was genuine and lasting.

Above all else, Charles was deeply proud of his children- not in loud or sentimental ways, but in steady, unmistakable ones. He admired the families they built, the resilience they showed, and the lives they made their own. He watched them become parents, partners, and leaders in their own right, and he noticed everything- even when he didn’t say it out loud. He took particular pride in his youngest son, Noah, who is set to graduate soon with his master’s degree- a milestone Charles spoke of often, always with a grin that said plenty without many words.

Charles lived a life made up of real, full chapters- each of them honest, human, and deeply lived. His faith was not something he wore loudly, but something he lived consistently. He leaves behind family by birth, family by choice, former players who still hear his voice when teaching fundamentals, and people who learned- sometimes inadvertently- from his example.

He is survived by his sister, Dorothy; his children Christopher “Chris” Bell, Jennifer Dulong (Jenny), Erick Bell, Brandon Bell, Caleb Bell, Meghan Waldo, and Noah Bell; ten grandchildren; and three greatgrandchildren.

Charles Everett Bell will be remembered for his blunt honesty, sharp wit, love of sports, skillful hands, steady faith, time on the water, and the unmistakable mark he left on the people around him.

And if he ever called you “kid” or “son,” chances are you stopped, listened- and remembered it.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a charitable contribution in Charles’s memory to The Cove at Dundee Veteran’s Tiny House Community, a cause close to his heart and reflective of his lifelong support for veterans. Donations may be made through the Homeless Authority’s Home Fund at: http://www.homelessauthority.org/donate-to-the-home-fund

Visitation services will be held Wednesday, April 22, 2026 from 6:00 until 8:00 pm at Thomas L. Carter Funeral Home in Flemington. 

Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 23, 2026 at 1:00 pm at Live Oak Church of God with Pastor Mike Cowart officiating. Committal services will be at 3:00 pm at Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Glennville with Pastor Earl Kicklighter officiating. Full military honors will be rendered at the committal service. 

Thomas L. Carter Funeral Home & Crematory is handling the arrangements.
 

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