Thomas Webster "TW" Bell
November 13, 1959 ~ August 3, 2023
Thomas Webster Bell III, “T.W.” 63, of Leonardtown, MD, passed away on August 3, 2023 in Solomons, MD. Born on November 13, 1959, he was the son of Dorothy G. Bell of Leonardtown, MD, and the late Thomas W. Bell, Jr. T.W. was the loving husband of Mary F. Raley Bell. The two of them met in high school and were married on October 18, 1980. He is survived by his children Tiffany L. Corbett of Leonardtown, MD, Brittany B. Nelson (Gary) of Leonardtown, MD, Stephanie B. Dahlstrom (Michael) of Leonardtown, MD, and Courtney T. Bell (Chase) of Leonardtown, MD, his siblings, J. Andrew Bell of Leonardtown, MD, Gary S. Bell of Leonardtown, MD, and Mark J. Bell of Leonardtown, MD, as well as six grandchildren and one granddaughter on the way. In addition to his father, T.W. was preceded in death by his brother, Francis G. Bell and his son-in-law, Christopher B. Corbett.
T.W. was a lifelong St. Mary’s County, MD resident and graduated from Ryken High School in 1977. He was the Collision Repair Center Manager for Bell Motor Company until 2008. In 2009, T.W. went to work for a Government Contractor. He was the owner/operator of Bell Trucking for over 35 years, and co-owner of Bell Boys Bus Service in Leonardtown, MD. T.W.’s hobbies included playing hardball, softball for Pennies, Budweiser, and others. He was to go to the Orioles Minor League however, he was working on the family farm and a tree fell across his shoulders and intervened. He was a 2012 Hall of Fame Inductee for the Slow Pitch Softball League, and belonged to the Leonardtown Vol. Fire Department (Assistant Engineer) and served for 41 years. T.W.’s greatest love was his wife, four girls, grandchildren, and family. He was such a gentle giant, making him the right person to be a girl dad. T.W. could be seen in the evenings and weekends working on the Breton Bay family farm.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, August 10, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM with prayers recited at 7:00 PM at Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, August 11, 2023 at 11:00 AM at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Leonardtown, MD, with Father David Beaubien officiating. Interment will follow at Queen of Peace Catholic Cemetery, Helen, MD. Serving as pallbearers will be Gary Nelson, Michael Dahlstrom, Chase Burroughs, Gary Bell Jr., Michael Bell, and Al Raley. Honorary pallbearers will be Andy Bell, Gary Bell, Sr., Mark Bell, A.J. Bell, Chris Bell, Bradley Bell, Josh Phetteplace, Buck Trossbach, Johnny Russell and Charlie Cooksey.
Contributions may be made to the Leonardtown Vol. Fire Department, P.O. Box 50, Leonardtown, MD 20650.
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My prayerts to all his friends and his Big Family, he left us way to soon. He was an important part of our community RIP . Diane Duke Dorsch and family
Our thoughts are with the family. We knew TW for many years.
Wally and Diana Henderson
The Bell Family
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of TW sending prayers too all of you.
Paula Russell
To ALL members of T.W.’s Loving Family. When a Wonderful Life comes to an end, all the Earth seems to weep with Us. A Good Man Gone too soon. With Prayers. R.I.P. Elizabeth (Ann) Bowles
Wayne worked with TW at Bell Motor Company for a long time, he was a great friend. We send our sincere condolences to Mary Frances and all the Bell and Raley family.
Wayne and Eleanor Norris
Mary and family,
We are so sorry to hear about TW. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Wayne & Eva Hall and family
Mary, Dot, and all of T.W.’s family – I worked with Tommy for a long time in the shop at Bell Motor Company. I watched his boys; T.W., Franny, Andy, Gary, and Mark grow up. I have two memories that stand out with T.W. during that time. The first was when the Orioles recruiter was heavily recruiting T.W. while he was in high school. They actually came to the shop and talked to Tommy in the little office we worked in. Tommy always left the decision up to T.W. because he wanted him to be happy. The second was when T.W. was learning how to work on transmissions. He was being taught by Buss Woodburn, one of the best. They were working on a Vega which was up on the lift right next to the office. The lift failed on the right side, both front and back, and the car started teetering. T.W. held that car up with his arms above his head and told Buss to run! He did and T.W. pushed that car to the right which came crashing down in the shop. If it had fallen to the left, I would have been trapped in the office. I will never forget the vision of T.W. holding up that car. T.W. was always so kind to everyone. Even decades later if I saw him out in public he would always stop and say hello. But that was him, always kind, carrying and looking out for everyone. My heart is broken over his sudden passing and my prayers to go out to Mary, his girls, and Dot. RIP T.W. you will be dearly missed. – Cathy Williams
I’ll never forget you. When you always in the shop talking trash fixing my car. Good times. Prayers for your family.
It is often hard to find the right words at a time like this. May you find peace, comfort, and all the love you need in the days to come. He was a gentle giant who was taken from us way too soon. He served his community well and will be missed.
Mary Frances & the entire Family:
Our thoughts, prayers & condolences are w/you all.. He was a giant, kind & sweet man that would help anybody when they needed it.. He had a heart of gold.. May God wrap his arms around you all during this time of sorrow.. Just know he’s now your guardian angel watching over you all.. Rest in Peace T.W… God Bless..
Shirley Combs Trossbach & family
Mary and family, My deepest sympathy to you and your family. You are all in my prayers.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Bell family with the sudden loss of TW. May God give you all the strength you need through the days to come to help in your time of sorrow. May God Bless TW. vr Gail and Ron Ridgell
Tiffany and all the Bell family. We are saddened by your loss, yet believe the Good Lord has called his name, his time. We were in the line outside and ended up watching the lil ones this evening. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. TW was a fine man and a tribute to the community. May he rest in peace.
Debbie and Donald Russell
To The Family . I’m so sorry for your loss, May he rest in Peace . I pray the Lord will give Peace & comfort to all he has left behind . May the Lord shine his everlasting light on you and give you strength in the days to come God Bless
A co-worker at FRC ASE Solomons, T.W. was always a pleasure to work and visit with. He would always ask me about my son who is in the Navy. He reminded me much of my own father, a hard working man who was dedicated to his family, friends, and co-workers.
He is truly missed – Praying for his family and friends
Jim Bussell
To the entire Bell family and friends of T.W.-My heart is with you all during this most difficult time. My name is Jennifer Mullen Nathe, and I am a 1978 Graduate from St. Marys Academy. T.W. graduated a year before me. I purchased my 1st car from Bell Motors-a Monza 2+2 Hatchback with a V-8 engine in it. I loved that car, however T.W. hated it! Whenever I would drive up at the Service Dept. He would give me the most discouraged look and say “Jenny, So help me God-that car better not need new spark plugs!” And thank goodness I would assure him that was not why I was there. You see, in that particular make and model car, the engine had to be pulled to replace the spark plugs!!! His whole demeaner would change in a second! Bless his heart. He was one of the best…always and forever.