He grew up and lived in the Glenville area until he entered the army during World War II where he served in Okinawa and Niigata Japan. After his discharge in 1946 he returned home and moved to Asheville, NC. where he married Helen Quinn in November of 1947. They had one son named James and in 1955 they moved to the town of Arden, where they lived for over 50 years. Clell was preceded in death by his wife Helen, his parents, and all eleven of his siblings. Clell worked at many different jobs and owned a painting company, but he was most proud of serving his community as a fireman in the Skyland Fire department. Clell was a Deacon and charter member of Skyland Baptist Church where he served and attended regularly until he moved to Lincoln, Nebraska in 2013. Clell met and married Doris Nellene Latham in 2017 and they continued to live in Lincoln until his passing.
Clell is survived by his wife Nellene, his son James, daughter-in-law Anita, 4 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Clell elected to continue serving his community in death by donating his remains to the Anatomical Board of the State of Nebraska for advancement of medical education and research.
A Memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at Second Baptist Church, 525 North 58th Street in Lincoln.
The family requests that memorial gifts be made to North Carolina Baptists on Mission, PO Box 1107, Cary, NC 27512. Please designate on your check “Western North Carolina Hurricane Helene Response”.