FARMINGTON — Carroll Ray Bell, 72,

of Farmington, Ark., passed away September 14, 2023 in Springdale, Ark. He was born October 1, 1950 to Ephffous and Billie Jean (Perkins) Bell. He was preceded in death by his parents, a nephew, Sgt. Kevin Bell; and several aunts, uncles, and loved ones.

He is survived by daughter, Lesley (Adam) Skinner; and her mother, Kay Newman Trotter; stepdaughter, Shannon (Aaron) Cantrell, stepson, Sean Schader (Nicole), and their mother, Linda Pearson Bell; sister, Nan Milliken and his brother, Dean (Kayleen) Bell. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Mitchell Cantrell, Matthew Cantrell, Cole Cantrell, Morgan Schader, Katherine Skinner, Ella Schader; three nieces, and two nephews.

Carroll Ray graduated from Gillett High School in 1968. He was an all-conference football player and participated and excelled in all sports. He attended State College of Arkansas in Conway, where he was a member of the SCA track team, president of the Royal Rooters, and member of Phi Sigma Epsilon fraternity. He graduated in 1973. He began coaching in Gillett and lead the 1974 football team to the finals of class A state championship game. He enjoyed men’s softball as a player and later as a coach. He was inducted into the Arkansas Softball Hall of Fame in 2021. Carroll Ray played in and coached many championship teams in his career.

Celebration of Life Services will be held on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at 10 a.m. at Prairie Grove Christian Church in Prairie Grove, Ark., located at 611 Wayne Villines Rd. Honorary Pallbearers are Adam Skinner, Sean Schader, Aaron Cantrell, Mitchell Cantrell, Matthew Cantrell, Cole Cantrell, Morgan Schader, Thos Hoggard, Jerry Webster, Kirk Whitmore, Eddie Glover, and Gary Birdsong. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Rd. Springdale, Ark., 72762.

To place an online tribute, please visit: www.bernafuneralhomes.com.