TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
Jesse J. Bell 1933-2023 Educator, Entrepreneur, U.S. Army
T he Maywood-Wheaton (IL) Alumni mourns the loss of Jesse Bell (Beta Gamma 1954), who entered the Chapter Invisible on December 23, 2023, at age 90. Jesse James Bell was born January 20, 1933, in St. Francisville, LA, to the union of Willie and Isabelle Bell. Bell moved to New Orleans at the age of 4. He attended elementary school (James Lewis), and high school (Gilbert Acad- emy) and graduated from McDonogh #35 in 1951. He attended Dillard University where he played on the Blue Devils Football team. He graduated with a B.A. in elementary education from Dillard University in 1955. After graduating, Bell Jesse moved to Oakland, CA., and then was drafted
“IN MARCH 1978, BELL RECEIVED AN IMAGE AWARD FROM THE FRED HAMPTON SCHOLARSHIP FUND FOR PROJECTING A POSITIVE IMAGE AS A COMMUNITY LEADER WHO HELPED TO MAKE SOCIETY BENEFICIAL FOR OTHERS. HE PROVIDED JOBS TO SOME COMMUNITY MEMBERS ...”
In 1958, Bell began his teaching career in Chicago. He later moved to teach in suburban Maywood/Broad- view. After serving 30 years as a teacher, Bell retired from teaching (District 89) in 1991. While continuing his teaching career, he became an entrepreneur, founding J&D Cab Company (i.e, Jesse & Doris). This ven- ture allowed Bell to earn a VA contract to transport disabled veterans to the VA Hospital. Veterans were transported as far away from Chicago as Iowa, Indiana, and Michigan. J&D Cab Company phased
out in 1983. In 1984, he established JJ Limousine Service, serving corporate executives, individuals, and families throughout the western suburbs. In March 1978, Bell received an Image Award from the Fred Hampton Scholarship Fund for projecting a positive image as a community leader who helped to make society beneficial for others. He provided jobs to some community members who were considered ineligible for hiring. Bell was a Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi and a charter member of the
Maywood-Wheaton (IL) Chapter, where he partici- pated in the chapter’s Guide Right programs and other activities. He was an active member of Bethany of Fox Valley United Methodist Church in Aurora, IL. Brother Jesse J. Bell is preceded by his parents, his wife of 55 years Doris Bell, and siblings Rosalie Bell and Willie Bell, Jr.. He is survived by daughters Jennifer Bell and Darletta (Phillip) Anderson and grandchildren Jessica Price, Jazmine Price, Alyssa Anderson, Daeja Anderson, Phillip Anderson Jr., and Jordan Caffey. ♦
into the US Army. He served two years. Jesse
spent eighteen months in Germany with the 14th Armory Calvary, patrolling the borders that separated East and West Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1957.
44 THE JOURNAL ♦ SPRING 2024
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