Ronald Lee “Scab” Bell was born on January 11, 1950, in Franklin, Kentucky, to the late Howard and Bessie Holcomb Bell.  He was the fourth of 16 children.  He departed this life on July 28, 2026, at Medical Center, Bowling Green, Kentucky, at the age of 76.

Scab was a member of Alpha Missionary Baptist Church, a 1969 graduate of Franklin-Simpson High School, and played football as a fullback and defensive cornerback.  He was also a 45-year member of the Gentleman Unlimited Club and an employee of Potter-Brumfield/Siemen, Thomas and Betts, and Country Oven Bakery until retirement.  He also loved to hunt, fish, and have fun. You may often see him cruising through the lively neighborhoods of NEWTOWN and Harristown in his orange GTO Judge and Hummer.

Ronald leaves to cherish his loving wife of 52 years, Deborah Bell; a daughter, Alicia (Trever) Howse, Old Hickory, TN; and a son, Erik (LaTasha) Bell, Louisville, KY.  Six grandchildren: Olivia, Bryan (Alyssa), Bryson (Kaytlyn) and Carmyn Howse, all of TN; Darius Tooley, Frankfort, KY; and Amelia Bell, Louisville.  Sisters- Carolyn (Marshall) Franklin, Donna (David) Odom, and Monica, all of Bowling Green.  Brothers- Manuel (the late Portia), Rickey (Jo Lynn), Denver, all of Franklin, Sam (Betty), Russellville, Mark (Elaine) Tompkinsville, and Andre’ (Enatra) Bell Muhammad, Nashville, TN, with deceased brothers, Robert Howard, Willie Louis, Frankie, Malcomb, Joseph, and Johnnie (Sandra) Bell.  Aunts: Sadie Taylor, Franklin (deceased Carletta Blakemore and Lorraine Holcomb), and grandparents Elizabeth and Denver Wilkerson and Robert and Lena Bell, Sam and Eliza Lockhart Holcomb (all deceased); a sister-in-law, Jackie (Robert) Burris; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. 
 

Visitation

Place: Franklin Funeral Directors Funeral Home 
Date: Monday August 3, 2026
Time: 6:00PM- 7:00PM

Funeral Service 

Place: Franklin Funeral Directors Funeral Home 
Date: Monday August 3, 2026
Time: 7:00PM

Burial will be held Tuesday August 4, 2026, at 1:00 PM at Shady Rest Cemetery in Franklin, Ky