Paul Gaines Bell

Paul Gaines Bell, 70, of Albany, GA, passed away September 6, 2026 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. Memorial services will be announced.

Paul, a native and lifelong resident of Albany, GA was born on April 24, 1956 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. He graduated from Riverview Academy in 1974 and attended Mercer University. Early in his career, he followed in his father’s footsteps and was employed with Albany Amusement Company. Paul went on to work with Sunbelt Ford in the Finance Department for sixteen years and managed Bowl-A-Rama Lanes in Albany, GA. Paul's passion was bowling and he was to be inducted into The Albany Bowling Hall of Fame later this year. Paul bowled professionally for several years. In his career, he bowled four 300 games and in 2017 won the Senior Allstar Tournament and came in second in the Super Senior Allstar Tournament.

He was preceded in death by his father, Carl Gaines Bell, his mother, Shirley Stanfield Jackson and his step-father, Billy Jo Jackson, his grandparents, William Lester Stanfield, Sr and Florine Mulford Stanfield, Carl Young Bell and Lettie Gaines Bell, and a brother and sister-in-law,Larry Hancock (Oleta).

Survivors include his wife, Candy Bell and a son, Lynn A. "Ladd" Davis III (Jaime) all of Albany, GA, his brothers, Carl Young Bell (Sue) from Crossville, TN and James Michael Bell (Gwen) from Chattanooga, TN, his grandchildren, Morgan Elizabeth Davis of Covington, LA, Courtney Jones of Albany, GA, Hunter Jones (Megan) of Columbus, GA and Kaylyn Pitts (Anderson) of Dawson, GA, 2 great-grandchildren, Cameron Jones and Tatum Pitts; his adopted daughters, Leslie "Pooh" Ricks (Marc) and Penny Faircloth (George), his brother and sister - in- law, Ed Hancok (Jean), and numerous nieces and nephews, and his seven Fur Babies.

Those desiring may make memorials in memory of Paul to St. Jude, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38015, to Affinis Hospice of Albany, 507 North Jefferson Street, Albany, GA, 31701 or to Bush Animal Clinic, 24119 Dawson Rd., Albany, GA, 31707.