88R24331 CW-D
 
  By: Dutton H.R. No. 1163
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, The life of an esteemed spiritual leader drew to a
  close with the passing of the Reverend Ricky Charles Bell on April
  11, 2023, at the age of 66; and
         WHEREAS, A native of Kilgore, Ricky Bell was born on October
  2, 1956, to Alonzo and Earline Giddings Bell; following his
  graduation from Kashmere Senior High School in Houston, he studied
  business administration at Houston Community College; first called
  to the ministry in 1978, he attended Union Baptist College and
  Theological Seminary, Mt. Hope Theological Seminary, the South
  Houston Bible Institute, and the Interdenominational Theological
  Center; he earned a theology degree from Calvary Theological
  Seminary and a master's degree from Jacksonville Baptist
  Theological Seminary; and
         WHEREAS, Pastor Bell was ordained on March 24, 1990, and he
  was installed as pastor of Forest Lawn Missionary Baptist Church in
  Houston on June 29, 1993; over the course of his exemplary tenure
  leading the congregation, he devoted himself tirelessly to the
  advancement of the church's mission and oversaw its many
  faith-based community and counseling programs; highly respected by
  his peers, he served as dean of the Puritan District Association and
  was active with the National Missionary Baptist Convention of
  America, the Foreign Mission Board of the National Baptist
  Convention USA, and a number of preaching conferences; his
  affiliations also included the Fellowship of Prison Ministries and
  the Baptist Ministers' Association of Houston and Vicinity, and he
  was a lifetime member of the NAACP; and
         WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Pastor Bell enjoyed the love
  and support of his wife, Virginia Annette Bell, and their two
  children, Charles Anthony Bell and Kharah Rachelle Bell; and
         WHEREAS, Ricky Bell was a source of spiritual guidance,
  comfort, and inspiration to his congregation and to numerous people
  in the wider community, and his legacy will live on in the hearts of
  those who were fortunate enough to have known him; now, therefore,
  be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
  Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Pastor Ricky
  Charles Bell and extend deepest condolences to all who mourn his
  passing; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
  prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
  Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Pastor
  Bell.