Charles Bell was born in Rockingham County, NC, on September 23, 1941, and departed this life on February 27, 2025. He was the only child of Paul Bolden and Florence Bell Harris and the eldest grandchild of James and Mary Sue Dillard Bell. His Christian faith was nurtured by his family and his home church, Elm Grove Baptist Church of Reidsville, and later St. Stephen United Church of Christ of Greensboro where he served on the usher board. Charles was a 1959 graduate of Booker T. Washington High in Reidsville, NC, and a 1963 graduate of North Carolina A&T State University with a B.S. in Business Education. In 1968, Charles married the love of his life, Shirley Hinnant. They shared fifty-three years of marriage until Shirley's passing in 2021. During their years together, they built successful businesses, raised one daughter, Jennifer, and delighted in their one grandchild, Jonathan.

Charles taught typing, bookkeeping, and driver's education in the Stokes County school system for eight years while discovering his passion for entrepreneurship. In 1964, Charles started Bell's Florist, Bell's Driving School, and Bell's Bonding Company. In 1969, Charles opened a used car business with his father-in-law, Oscar H. Hinnant, and remained in the used car business until Mr. Hinnant's death in 1975. In 1978, Charles became the sole proprietor of Charles Bell Motor Company in Tuskegee, AL. Charles was one of Alabama's first Black car dealers, selling the entire General Motors line: Pontiac, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, and GMC Truck. Charles Bell Motor Company closed in 1993 after many years of fighting General Motors to achieve an equitable business environment for minority dealers.

Charles was an accomplished businessman and loved to talk about cars, but he was just as proud of his upbringing on Candy Creek Road. He loved to reminisce about pulling tobacco in the summer, working the "pack house" in the fall, and helping his grandfather, Papa, take the cured tobacco to market on the mule. He loved to tell stories about eating watermelons in the field, swimming in the creek, and running on the farm with Cousins Gennie, Lloyd, Charlie and Papa's bulldog "Big Boy". Charles' face would light up whenever he talked about playing alongside his cousins Willard "Billy" Bell and Alfred "Boots" Bell, on the 1957 state championship baseball team.

Charles is survived by one daughter, Jennifer Bell Brown (John); one grandson, Jonathan Bell Brown, and countless cousins and friends. Charles was a devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He loved his family and friends; he was a provider, protector, and fighter for justice. His physical presence will be deeply missed, but his legacy of determination and hard work will be remembered by those who knew and loved him.

The family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude for the numerous visits and gestures of kindness during Charles' illness and special thanks to Morningview at Irving Park Memory Care, Hospice of the Piedmont, and AuthoraCare Collective. A public viewing will be held on Wednesday, March 5 at Hargett Funeral Service, Inc., 905 E. Market Street, Greensboro from 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM. A visitation and funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 6th respectively at 11:00 am and 11:30 am, in St. Stephen United Church of Christ, with burial at Forest Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Stephen United Church of Christ, Greensboro, NC.