The Right Reverend Thomas Clinton Bell

Father, Bishop, Pastor, Friend, and Servant of All

His Grace The Right Reverend Thomas Clinton Bell was born on October 21, 1962, to Sarah Marie Bell and the late Thomas Edward Cherry, Jr., in Norfolk, Virginia. Bishop Bell was a native of Tarboro, North Carolina where his mother ensured that he, his sister, and his brother were formed in the faith at St. John’s Holiness Church under the pastoral leadership of the Reverend John A. Williams, Jr.  He completed his elementary education at W A Patillo school, before the integration of schools, and he was a proud graduate of Tarboro High School, Class of 1981.  Bishop Bell faithfully served in ministry for over 30 years and in the United States Air Force for 16 years. While in the military he completed a tour of duty in Iraq during Operation Desert Storm.

He was called into the ministry, was mentored, and licensed to serve in 1989 under the auspices of The Most Reverend Sammy C. Smith, founder of Grace Cathedral Ministries. In 1993, he was assigned to his first pastoral charge at St. Mark COGIC in Camden, South Carolina. While continuing in his pastoral calling, he birthed his joy and crown, Cathedral of Praise Ministries, Inc. in 2001, also known as “COP Ministries.” When Bishop Bell stepped out on faith and followed God’s call to launch COP Ministries, he had no idea of the innumerable lives that he and his dedicated members would touch through their consistent commitment to being change agents, difference makers, trailblazers, and trendsetters in their community and the world!

In 2002, Pastor Bell was elevated to the office of Bishop in Grace Cathedral Christian Fellowship and appointed as Vice Bishop for this fellowship of churches. Bishop Bell served in various ministry capacities throughout the southeast region of the United States. His sincere love for people of all ages, nationalities, and backgrounds enabled him to touch countless lives with the love of Jesus Christ. “Pastor Bell,” as he was fondly called, had an uncanny and unique ability to inspire youth - ministering to them individually and collectively wherever they were, and birthing ministries such as Young People for Christ and Destined for Greatness to transform minds and their lives.

Bishop was well known for speaking boldly concerning injustices in his community and he matched his words with his amazing ability to show up and serve! His unquenchable passion for life and his love for people were instrumental in fueling and reviving a true sense of community in Kershaw County, while also breaking down denominational, racial, and socio-economic walls. He was a stalwart in the community and was known as the “pastor of the community.” His humorous demeanor and magnetic personality were infectious and undeniable in person and via his social media broadcasts, Spotify Podcast, and his weekly radio show. Bishop Bell was well known as “The Voice” to hundreds of faithful worshipers who joined his Sunday Morning Radio Broadcast entitled, New Direction, on KOOL 102.7 WPUB-FM for more than 20 years. This broadcast helped to open the hearts and minds of people to the rich and abundant blessings that can only be found in the Kingdom of God.

Not only was Bishop Bell a compassionate pastor, a prolific communicator, and a most-able connector of people, but he also rolled up his sleeves to serve on numerous boards and agencies around the State of South Carolina, including but not limited to: Brother2Brother Fellowship, The Boykin Park Revitalization Project, The Concerned Citizens of Kershaw County (Chairperson), Concerned Clergy of Kershaw County, the “Our Use of Force Board” of the Camden Police Department, Kershaw Together, the Midlands Food Bank helping to serve Kershaw County, the 100 Men Strong movement, The Price House Board (Commissioner), Unity in the Community and he was one of the founding organizers of “Just Jesus,” an ecumenical and multi-racial movement of disciples with one purpose – to offer Jesus to the world. On March 1, 2018, the South Carolina General Assembly’s 122nd Session introduced and adopted a Senate Resolution wherein Bishop Thomas C. Bell was honored for 25 years of distinguished service to South Carolina and beyond. The City of Camden also proclaimed June 30th as Bishop Bell Day in honor of his service to the community.

In his quiet time, Bishop was a veracious reader, researcher, and writer - always seeking the Lord for wisdom, knowledge, and understanding so that he could be “a workman unashamed, rightly dividing the word of Truth” 2 Timothy 2:15.  To that end, Bishop Bell would want his beloved family, church family, and all whom he touched to also stand on the Word of God and to continue in the Way of Christ.  The Bible verses that undergird his ministry are Isaiah 61:1 – 4: “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; 3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. 4 And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.”

Bishop Bell leaves to cherish fond and loving memories, his loving mother, Sarah M. Bell; daughter, Christina Bell of Columbia, SC; sons, Brandon (Brea) Hicks of Henderson, NV, Jacob (Crystal) Bell of San Antonio, TX and Thomas Michael (Regina) Bell of San Antonio, TX; sisters, Zina Bell-Williams and Valerie Brinkley both of Baltimore, MD; brothers, Carlton (Jacqueline) Bell of Pottstown, PA, Reginald Collins of Norfolk, VA and Terrance Griffin of Portsmouth, VA; aunts, Yvonne Person of Princeville, NC, Gloria Mitchell of Norfolk, VA, and Alma Council of Norfolk, VA; uncle, Steven Cherry of Norfolk, VA; nine grandchildren: (Brandon) Jaydon Bartlett, Sahvren Nace Hicks, Sevaya Raye Hicks, Sion Nace Hicks, (Jacob) Yisra’el Bell, Judith Bell, (Michael) Jahren Andy Hernandez, Bria Jade Bell, and Cameron Anthony Bell; a host of nephews, nieces, episcopal sons and daughters, god-children and god-siblings; and a host of beloved relatives and friends. 

On Tuesday, September 27, 2022, Bishop Bell exchanged time for eternity. His labor of family, ministry, service, and love will forever be cherished. We give God praise for a life well lived and a journey completed.

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