MEMORIAL RESOLUTION FOR APOSTLE DR. LESTER PAUL BELL, JR.
WHEREAS, God in His infinite Wisdom has called Apostle Dr. Lester Paul Bell, Jr;-, a most beloved son, loving husband and father, humbled servant, distinguished citizen and great friend to his everlasting reward, on Friday, June 26, 2020; and
WHEREAS, This august body has been informed of Apostle Bell Jr.'s passing by the Honorable Carrie M.Austin, Alderman of the 34th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Lester Jr. was the first born of the consecrated union between Lester Sr. and Genevieve Bell on June 11, 1930 in Toledo, Ohio, adversity would later lead him to drop out of high school at the tender age of 16. He altered his identification to join the army, learned to play the trombone in his platoon's band. A dutiful serviceman, Lester Jr. rose to the rank of Sergeant after five years .and received an honorable discharge; and
WHEREAS, After concluding his tour of duty, Lester Jr. returned to Toledo briefly before moving to Chicago, Illinois and staying with friends. There he was introduced to God's Word by Mother Bessie Bbtto and his pastoral passion would be planted but not yet harvested; and
WHEREAS, Lester Jr. joined the Roberts Temple COGIC under leadership of Bishop Roberts, in 1950, along with Reverend E.J. Duncan, himself and 35 young aspiring ministers visited with community members, praying and bringing many to Christ; and
WHEREAS, In 1955 he met and on June 16,1956 entered into holy matrimony with the beautiful Celest Brooks. They were blessed to parent three children, adopt a second son and subsequently three other children; and
WHEREAS, In 1960, Lester Bell, Jr. co-pastored Christ Deliverance Church (CDC) with Winston C. Hodges at the old Kim bark Theater, 6240 South Kimbark Avenue. The teaching ministry began to attract traveling Evangelists from across the globe. Pastor Bell, Jr.'s noble reputation facilitated relations with renowned men of the gospel, including A.A. Allen, R.W. Shambach, Dale Davis, Dan Walker...
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