Life Reflections

Melvin Everett Bell was born, August 18, 1948 in St. Louis MO, the second of two children born to the union of James Willie Bell and Beatrice Etta Bell. His sister Katie Bell and his father preceded him in death. Melvin attended St. Louis Public Schools; he graduated from Soldan High. He also graduated from St. Louis University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree.

Melvin’s passionate commitment and pragmatic resilience have advanced the causes of the American Red Cross and multiple other St. Louis charities.

In the past 54 years, Melvin has donated over 95 pints of blood, and for several years, he was matched with a sickle cell anemia patient. Each time that individual needed a transfusion, Melvin went to a donation center to donate blood. He also served as an advisory board member and chair of the Red Cross Dr. Charles Drew Program Planning Committee. Named to honor an African American physician who developed ways to process blood plasma, this local program encourages African Americans to give blood. Its members assist at blood drives and help support those with sickle cell disease who need regular Transfusions.

Melvin’s favorite pastime was being a football referee. He and his crew, The Posse as they were called, worked through the summer and fall in the evenings and on weekends refereeing high school and semi-pro games. This all-black crew worked together for over 25 years. In addition to Melvin, the Posse included Harvey Cloyd, Spencer Fleming, Sam Howard, Anthony Allen, Harvey Allen, Don Cross and Bob Reaves. They knew their stuff, they looked good on the field and they were amazing to watch. 

After leaving the Army and returning to St. Louis, Melvin was employed as a field representative investigating discrimination issues for the Missouri Commission on Human Rights. After eight years there, Melvin joined the U.S. Postal Service where he spent much of his career as an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Counselor/Investigator. After 29 years Melvin retired and ended his postal service career as the staff member who followed up on workmen’s compensation claims. For all those years, he worked in the 19th century neoclassical downtown St. Louis Main Post Office building. Melvin was a volunteer with Annie Malone Children and Family Services, where for 30 years, he helped organize the Annie Malone Annual Parade. This century-old St. Louis tradition brought throngs to downtown St. Louis and raised thousands of dollars for children in crisis.

Brother Isadore Wayne encouraged Melvin to join the Empowerment Network, which is dedicated to increasing testing and screening for prostate cancer and to providing treatment referrals. As a volunteer, Melvin offered peer-to-peer support and provided educational materials to help African American men get checked for prostate cancer; he also helped family members and caregivers make informed decisions about prostate cancer detection, treatment options and side effects. Melvin also led a monthly speaker’s bureau that focused on helping African American men understand the importance of prostate cancer screenings. Melvin was very proud to be a 33 Degree Mason. His position and accomplishments include:

• Past Master of Albert Holman Lodge # 179 (33 degree)
• DDGM 1st. District
• R.W. Board Member 1st. District
• Advisor to 46th. G.M. Malcolm Morris
• Long Time Chairman for Commanders of the Rite East
• Member of Ways & Means Grand Lodge Committee
• Vice Chair of The Grand Lodge Session.
• Worthy Patron of Ladies of Mercy # 118

Melvin loved his 95-year-old mother. Even when he was sick, his daily ritual was to call his mother and to make sure she was alright and to see if she needed anything. He loved his entire family, especially those beautiful great-grand babies. Melvin would always do whatever he could to help them. Left to cherish his memory, his mother Beatrice Etta Bell, his daughter, Ayanna Nicole Bell, grandsons: Jerome Massey III (Kaleigh), Jeremee Massey (Shanna) and Jerron Massey, four great-grandchildren: Jaimee Massey, Kailyn Massey, Jeremee Massey Jr. and Aubree Nicole Massey, niece: Donna Carter (William), great nieces and nephews, cousins: Kathy Bartlett (Eric) and Phillip Williams, a host of Masonic brothers and ladies OES, and a very special person in his life, Princena Davis, “My Love, My Soul Mate, My All.” (Melvin’s words)