Dr. Michael Anthony Bell Obituary (1967

Dr. Michael Anthony Bell was born on May 18, 1967, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Benjamin and Clymontine (Steward) Bell. He celebrated his birthday on the 19th for most of his life due to a typo on his birth certificate. Mike was the youngest of five siblings, where holy living and integrity was emphasized during his childhood. “Mike” grew up in Des Moines and attended school at Des Moines Tech High School. He holds several degrees from various institutions: William Penn University, Upper Iowa, DMACC, Avatech to name a few. He graduated in 1989 with a degree in Industrial technology and interior design and continued his educational efforts and recently earned his Doctorate from St. Thomas Christian College and Theological Seminary. Dr. Bell was a lifelong member of the Church of God in Christ. Growing up in church he loved God and displayed his calling for service to God’s people. Dr. Bell became a licensed pastor on February 11, 1995. He succeeded Bishop Hurley Bassett Sr. as the pastor of East 17th Street Church of God in Christ, where he served faithfully until his transition. Dr. Bell holds many titles and responsibilities after being elevated to Assistant Pastor of the Jurisdictional Headquarters Church, an Adjutant Episcopal to the Bishop, a member of the Jurisdictional Executive Board, member of the Ordination Board, Jurisdictional Secretary, Chief of Protocol and Trainer of Credential Holders, inducted into the International Adjutancy, as well as Jurisdictional Youth President. Dr. Bell was always one to stay busy. He worked at several non-profit organizations, was a social worker for Next Step Counseling and a Street Smarts instructor. He taught a class on Differing Religious Practices as Related to Funerals at DMACC for a season. When he wasn’t working at church he was working for church. He and the congregation spent many hours repairing and upgrading the building. He also used the culinary skills his mother taught him to finance some of the projects. Many weekends you could find him and Deacon Robert Hobbs Sr. preparing BBQ in the church parking lot. He also ran “Uncle Mike’s BBQ” on 6th Avenue for several years. He catered many of the church functions and those around the community. His love language was food, and he used that to connect with family, friends and community. Helping and feeding hungry people was part of his ministry. During Covid, the young people put together the care packages for the community. When Elder Bell was the Jurisdictional Youth President, he had youth scholarship banquets and the youth would dress up similar to proms and enjoy a night of fun games and food. Also, he had a youth vacation Bible school, where the children would come nightly for a week and win prizes for their participation. They would have homework pertaining to the Bible and turn it in the next day. The prizes were TVs, VCR’s, boomboxes, Nintendo’s, gift cards and money. Pastor Bell supplied food to the homeless and shelters. The young people of East 17th were faithfully by his side serving meals on Saturdays. Pastor Bell also sponsored a youth to go to the National AIM Convention with all expenses paid plus giving the youth spending money. Pastor Bell was definitely into the YOUNG PEOPLE AND HE WAS A WILLING WORKER! He also loved to golf. By his side in all of these endeavors was his wife, Malissa (Johnson) Bell, whom he married in 1999. They were devoted to each other and had a happy and enduring home. Dr. Bell was very proud of being awarded a key to the city of Des Moines by former Mayor Preston Daniels on March 9, 2003 and it was deemed "Elder M. Anthony Bell Day". June 10, 2025, Pastor Dr. M. Anthony Bell answered the Master’s call to rest. He was 58 years old. He was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin and Clymontine Bell. Dr. Bell leaves loving memories with his wife, Malissa Bell; siblings, Mary (Jerome) Austin, Dr. Benjamin (Julie) Bell Jr., John Bell, J. Curtis Bell and Brice Nichols; Godchildren, Ilisha Carter McClain, Nadine Veasley, Takira Smith, Selena Newbill and Sa’Liyah Banks, along with numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, church family and friends.