Clement Bell

Mr. Clement “Neal” C. Bell, Jr. age 68, of Bethlehem, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 16, 2018 at St Luke’s Hospital, Bethlehem, PA, surrounded by those he loved. Born December 24, 1949 in Clinton, NC, he was the son of the late Clement C. Bell and Edna M Bell. He grew up in Clinton and Wallace, NC and graduated from Wallace Rose-Hill High School, subsequently earning degrees from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston Salem, NC. Neal then moved to New York City to pursue a career in acting and eventually changed his path, graduating cum laude with a master’s degree in clinical psychology and social work from the esteemed Hunter College of Social Work. His patients and his practice in New York City were his pride and joy. In 1989 Neal met and married Gary Jones, eventually settling in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley. They were legally married in Northampton county court on December 19, 2014. Neal was an accomplished gardener. He loved creating gardens where flowers thrived and were a haven for all manner of birds. His two dogs were his constant companions. He loved his nieces and nephews and found great joy in being part of their lives. He was a member of Grace Episcopal Church in Allentown PA. Neal is survived by his husband Gary Jones of Bethlehem PA, his sister Janet Bell Cottle (Jack) of Greenville SC, brother Richard K Bell (Deborah) of Nashville TN, as well as nieces Lisa Cottle Moran (Jon) and Julia Bell, nephew Kemp C. Cottle (Katie), all of Greenville SC, Ella and Madison Moran, Jason and Haley Cottle, Sean Jones and Jennifer Jones, in addition to his enumerable friends, patients and colleagues whose lives he touched with his gentle grace. A Celebration of Life and Memorial Service are planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation in his memory to Last Chance Ranch Animal Rescue in Quakertown Pa: lastchanceranch.org. Condolences may be made by visiting his “Book of Memories” at falkfuneralhomes.com.