Ralph Monroe Bell M.D.

Dr. Ralph Monroe Bell of Charlotte and Waxhaw, N.C. died on Feb. 7, 2008. He was born Sept. 3, 1916 in Mooresville N.C. to the late Dr. Andrew E. Bell and Lilla Mann Bell. He was educated in Moorseville Public Schools and is a graduate of Davidson College, University of North Carolina Medical School and Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. After graduating, he was an intern at Touro Infirmary in New Orleans. He served for four years in the Navy Medical Corps and was a Lieutenant Commander when he left the service. He then was at Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans, as part of Tulane Medical School’s graduate school.

Ralph practiced medicine as an internist specializing in hematology in Charlotte from 1949 until his retirement in 1986. He was known as an outstanding diagnostician, an avid hunter and part time farmer.

He enjoyed raising hunting dogs and horses. Ralph’s interest in people, love for his family, and dedication for keeping up with new developments in his profession throughout his retirement, and his wonderful sense of humor will be greatly missed.

In addition to his parents, Ralph was preceded in death by a sister, Lilla Winstead of Rocky Mount, N.C. He is survived by his wife Mary Ann Hodge Bell of the home, two stepchildren, Kimberly Holladay (Jeff) Faaberg of Saint George, S.C. and Kevin Holladay of Manning; four step-grandchildren, Jeffrey, Carrie, Erik and Joshua Faaberg; four sisters, Mary Parks Weathers of Winston-Salem, N.C., Louise Moffitt of High Point, N.C., Helen Rankin of Belmont, N.C. and Eleanor Alexander of Asheboro, N.C., and nine nieces and nephews; Jane Weathers of Raleigh, Katherine Weathers Petree of Winston-Salem, Margaret Winstead Rainey of Charlotte, Hugh Moffitt of Greensboro, Louise Rankin Kelly of Winston-Salem, Richard Rankin of Belmont, Wilson Alexander and Anne Kemp Alexander Neely of Asheboro, and Ralph Alexander of Charlotte.

A memorial service will be conducted by Rev. Randy Blanton on Saturday Feb. 16, 2008 at Bonds Grove United Methodist Church at 11:30 a.m.

Memorials may be sent to the Bonds Grove United Methodist Church Building Fund, 8215 Bonds Grove Church Rd. Waxhaw, N.C., 28173.

Heritage Funeral and Cremation Services, Matthews/Weddington Chapel was in charge of the arrangements.