Melvis Glen Bell

A memorial visitation will be held for Melvis Glen Bell, 71, of Garrison, TX, on Monday, November 24, 2025, at Laird Funeral Home, from 5:00PM until 7:00PM.

Melvis passed away on November 20, 2025 in Nacogdoches.  He was born on May 30, 1954 to the late Benjamin Elton Bell and Winnie Lucille Curbow.  Melvis attended and graduated from Garrison High School in 1972 where he was well known for his days playing basketball and playing in the state finalist game at the basketball championship in 1972.  He then went on to play basketball in the years 1972-1973 at Panola Junior College.

Melvis was born and raised in Garrison where he also raised his daughter, Ginger Bell Gibson and his late son, Jeffery Brooks Bell.  He spent most of his adult life working for the City of Garrison starting in 1989 and later became the Superintendent as he eventually retired to spend more time doing what he loved.

While Melvis loved serving his hometown, he also loved spending time hunting, fishing, working his cows on family land and dove hunting with friends in Sweetwater, Texas.  He spent most of his days at Bellview Deer camp with his friends and cousins and was an avid member of the bank “coffee club” and the Fina “lunch group” in Garrison.  He also served at the Methodist Church cooking breakfast with the Methodist Men when his health allowed.

Melvis’ proudest title was “Pa”.  His greatest joy came from family and his grandchildren, Carah & Devin Yates, Chanler Gibson, Connor Holeman, Gracyn Holeman and Macoy Holeman, along with his first great-grandchild, Sutton Yates.  He loved nothing more than watching his grandchildren play sports and being their biggest fan in whatever they pursued. He will be remembered as a man that devoted his time to family, a true friend and someone who lived life to the fullest.

Melvis is survived by his daughter, Ginger Bell Gibson & husband Mark; step-children, Shane Holeman & wife Beth, Troy Holeman, Travis Holeman and Aspen Moreland; grandchildren, Carah Yates & husband Devin, Chanler Gibson, Lanie and Cade Carpenter, Bethany and Keelan Steinhauser, Connor Holeman, Gracyn Holeman, and Macoy Holeman; great grandchildren, Sutton Elizabeth Yates, Sutton Olivia Steinhouser, Radie Lanie Carpenter, and Sterling Claire Steinhouser; brother Mervil Bell; nephew Keith Bell & wife Annette and brother-in-law Vance Gipson.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin Elton Bell and Lucille Curbow Bell; wife, Terrie Bell; son, Jeffrey Brooks Bell; sister, Marilyn Gipson and sister-in-law Shirley Bell.

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