Carol Justice Bell

Carol Leath Justice Bell, 80, passed away peacefully at her residence on December 19, 2025. She was born on May 31, 1945, in Lafayette, Georgia, to the late Reverend J.O. Leath and Frances Coulter Leath.

From a young age, Carol showed a profound love for music and a passion for working with children. She began playing the piano at her church at the tender age of ten. Her lifelong connection with music was complemented by her early friendship with Jimmy Justice, whom she met when she was three years old. Carol and Jimmy's families were active members of Eastside Baptist Church in Moultrie, Georgia, where her father served as the preacher, and Jimmy’s father was the church chairman of deacons. At eighteen, Carol married Jimmy, and they shared a joyful life raising two daughters for forty-three years.

Carol dedicated her professional life to education, teaching piano and inspiring countless students through her work with the Colquitt County School System. She retired after many years of dedicated service from the SC Department of Mental Health. Carol was a devoted member of First Baptist Church in Abbeville, where she actively contributed to the community until her health began to decline. Among her passions was singing in the church choir, as well as serving as the pianist for the Abbeville A.R.P. Church during her son-in-law Frank Smith's tenure as lay minister.

In addition to her parents, Carol was preceded in death by her first husband, James W. (Jimmy) Justice; daughters Angela Justice and Jennifer Justice Smith; her brother James (Jim) Leath; and son-in-law Andy ‘Booty’ Davis. Later in life, she married Howard Byron Bell, with whom she shared ten years of marriage until his passing on July 21, 2021.

Carol is survived by her daughter Janna Carol Justice Davis, and seven grandchildren: Drew Davis (Amanda), Ryan Davis, Megan Davis Allen (Christopher), Amber N. Davis, Skyler R. Davis all of Abbeville, SC, Zachary C. Davis (Madison) of Spartanburg, SC, and Will F. Smith, III of Charleston, SC; a brother Jon David Leath (Debra) of Spanish Fort, AL, son-in-law Frank Smith II, of Charleston and seven great-grandchildren: Aiden, Price, Parker Davis, Braelyn and Hudson Allen, Oliver Barrett, and Emma Kate Davis. Additionally, she is remembered fondly by her special friend and caregiver, Crystal R. Singleton.

The family will receive friends from 1:00PM to 2:30PM on Monday, December 22, 2025 in the First Baptist Christian Life Center. Funeral services will begin at 3:00PM in the sanctuary of First Baptist with Rev. Chris Sullivan and Rev. Frank Smith, II officiating. Burial will follow in Long Cane Cemetery.

Memorials in Carol’s honor can be made to Jen’s Book Den 618 Old Calhoun Falls Road Abbeville, SC 29620; Christmas Angel Tree, Main Street Methodist Church P.O Box 656 Abbeville, SC 29620, or the charity of your choice.

The family is at the home of Janna Davis.

A message of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com

Harris Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Bell family.