Meet Doug Bell…
Known for his “happy-go-lucky” personality, Doug spends his days managing a furniture store warehouse in Tupelo, MS. Most people describe him as a genuine, humble, positive-minded all around great guy. So we asked him,
“What made you the person you are today?”
Here is Doug’s story, in his own words…
“I moved around quite a bit as a kid. I was born in Michigan where I lived for a very short period of time. I spent my kindergarten and first grade years in Saltillo, Mississippi. Then moved to Florida just in time to start second grade. Hurricane Hugo hit the east coast in 1989, so my dad packed us up to go live in Charleston, SC where he continued his work as a carpenter, assisting with the disaster. I began my 3rd grade year there and this is where I remember my story beginning. This is where I lived when I lost my mother, Delora (Dee). I was 9 years old. She was battling breast cancer and had been for a while. I’ll never forget the day I got off the school bus as a 6yr old boy and meeting my mom outside. She had a new hair style which actually turned out to be a wig. After asking questions, as a young boy would, I was told that my mom was very sick. She appeared healthy to me up until her final days. I don’t remember her ever appearing weak or being anything other than my mom… a good mom.
Immediately following my mom’s death, my father took my sister and I to stay with my grandparents in Virginia while he came back to MS to look for a job and a place to stay. I spent my 4th grade year there. I was back in Saltillo, MS to start my 5th grade year. My father had a steady job with one of his childhood friends and was always busy. He also got into drinking, which I can only guess was to fill the void of my mother passing. It got bad. We moved around from place to place (in Saltillo) never really settling in anywhere particular throughout 5th through 9th grades.
I recall having 6 “homes”.
I finally moved in with my sister and brother-in-law during my 9th grade year until they ended up moving outside of my school district. I was forced to find a place of my own. So I got a job and rented an apartment with one of my friends. Throughout my 9th grade I got involved with church because my friends went there. I thought why not. I became pretty involved and became friends with the youth minister as well as the Sunday school teacher. Time passed and eventually my roommate decided to join the Air Force. I couldn’t afford to keep the apartment by myself so I needed a place to stay. The youth minister found out and got with the Sunday school teacher. It just so happened that he had an extra room and invited me to live with him. His name was Wes Moore. He showed me the value in going to church and encouraged me. Wes taught me a lot and helped shape the man I am today. Having this positive, Christian influence in my life, I was able to see a path other than the one my father took. I never had the desire to smoke or do drugs. I certainly never wanted to drink because I saw what alcohol did to my dad.
Dad eventually died due to complications with his liver.
I made it through high school and life continued. I am as happy as I ever been. I’m now married to a beautiful woman and have 3 wonderful kids. I love my job and my life. So the question is, why? Well because of my mentor, Wes Moore, that’s why. Wes gave me a home when all I did was seem to move around and be “homeless”. God had our paths cross for a reason and without that there is no telling where I’d be or how my life would be different without his influence.
So, whose life will you make a difference in?”