Kinder-Homegoing services for Melvin Bell, 82, will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 10, 2021 at Indian Village United Pentecostal Church. Rev. Terry Bushnell, Rev. Scott Benoit and Rev. Marvin Phillips will officiate. Burial will follow at Jesse Johnson Cemetery under the direction of Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Homes.

The family will receive visitors at Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Home of Kinder on Friday, July 9, 2021 from 4-9 p.m. Visitation will resume on Saturday morning at Indian Village United Pentecostal Church from 8 a.m. until time of service.

Melvin was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was a devoted husband to his wife, Alma, for sixty-five years. Melvin was a lifelong resident of Kinder and of the Indian Village Community. He was a board member, as well as a faithful member of the Indian Village United Pentecostal Church. Melvin was a devoted Christian and was very proud of his Pentecostal heritage. He loved traveling, singing gospel with the Gospel Heirs Quartet, raising calves as a hobby and cooking. Melvin enjoyed flying his airplane; he also crop-dusted and used it to make his living. He worked very hard to help provide for his family. He liked to help his neighbors and was a very generous person. Melvin was a friend to all and never met a stranger. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Those left to cherish Melvin's memory include his wife, Alma Louise Tipton Bell of Kinder; one daughter, Rhydonia Bell Norman of Kinder; two sons, Melvin "Brother" Bell of Morganza, LA and Joseph "Joey" Bell and wife, Tammy, of Reeves; one special great niece, Kathy Bell of Spring Hill, TX; twelve grandchildren, Krista, Jared, and Brandon Norman and wife, Ashley, of Dallas, TX, Bryan "Keith" Bell and wife, Brandi, of Lacassine, LA, Whitney Bell, Chance Laughlin and wife, April, of LeBlanc, Randy, Keevon, and Brennon Bell, Meagan Holland, Kaylee Savaunt, and Devon Fontenot; thirteen great grandchildren; one sister, Betty Guse of Kinder; two brothers, Cleveland Bell and wife, Meto, of Kinder and Jerry Bell and wife, Mona, of Kinder; as well as a host of nieces and nephews.

Melvin is preceded in death by his parents, Clement and Willie Mae Bell; one son, Randall "Randy" Bell; one brother, James Bell; and one sister, Ruth Doucet.