Ronnie G. Bell

Ronnie G. Bell, 84, passed away Thursday morning, September 25, 2025 at his home in Webster surrounded by family.

He was born March 19, 1941 in Irvington to Ray Gibson and Dorothy Helen Adkisson Bell. On September 17, 1961, Ronnie married Ruby Bennett in Trenton, Georgia.

Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents, as well as his wife’s parents, Hobert and Lula Bennett; a brother and sister-in-law, Floyd and Ann Bell; a sister and brother-in-law, Loretta and Fred Neff; and an infant brother, Harold Bell.

Ronnie was a graduate of Irvington High School, class of 1959. He was a member of Irvington Cumberland Presbyterian Church, having served as both a deacon and an elder. Ronnie was retired from Olin/Arch Chemical in Brandenburg after 34 years and also worked at General Electric in Louisville. As a young man, Ronnie worked as a surveyor in Alabama, then in northern Kentucky as part of a crew that surveyed for the construction of Interstate 71.

Ronnie, a fourth generation Mason, received his Masonic degrees in 1972 as a member of Bewleyville Lodge #228. His Masonic journey included:

•   Royal Arch Mason (R.A.M.) degree

•   Royal and Select Master (R.&S.M.) degree

•   Order of Knighthood (Knights Templar)

•   Order of the Eastern Star (O.E.S.) degree

•   Consistory degrees, Scottish Rite

•   Ceremonies of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (A.A.O.N.M.S.)

Ronnie was a proud and dedicated Freemason, serving his fraternity with distinction. He held numerous offices and served on many committees in both his home Lodge and the Order of the Eastern Star, as well as within the Grand Lodge of Kentucky. Most notably, he was elected Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky for 1997–1998. Ronnie was elected to the Board of Directors of the Masonic Homes in Kentucky and became an Emeritus member of the Board in 2015.

He was a member of the Irvington #544 O.E.S., York Rite, Louisville Scottish Rite and Kosair Shrine.

Ronnie was an avid University of Kentucky basketball fan, but was even more devoted to watching his grandchildren participate in a variety of youth and high school sports. He loved camping with his family, enjoyed woodworking and crafts, and even entertained at parades and schools as “Belzo the Clown.”

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Ruby; three daughters, Deborah (Michael) Anders of Elizabethtown, Melissa (Michael) Robinson and Rhonda (Stephen) Laslie, both of Brandenburg; six grandchildren, Roni Robinson, Drew (Thomas) Ard, Tyler (Hollie) Robinson, Dylan Crawford, Joshua (Kaylee) Laslie and Lauren Laslie; a great-grandson, Oliver Ard; four siblings, Mary Emma Bell, Larry (Connie) Bell, Delois Bell and William (Elaine) Bell; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at the Alexander Funeral Home on Monday, September 29, 2025 from 1-8:00 P.M. with a Masonic service held at 7:00 P.M. EDT. and after 9:00 A.M. on Tuesday, September 30, 2025.

Funeral Services will be held at the Alexander Funeral Home on Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. EDT with Bro. Layman Lucas and Rev. Robert Young, Jr. officiating.  Burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Irvington, KY.

Expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of donations to: Irvington Cumberland Presbyterian Church (C/O Billy Snyder, 103 Kim Way, Irvington, KY 40146) or Kosair Children's Hospital (P.O. Box 950136, Louisville, KY 40295-0136)