State Rep. Cecil Bell Jr.

Rep. Bell Jr. operates cow/calf ranching operations in Leon and Freestone Counties. He has served as Chairman of the Greater Magnolia Economic Development Partnership and as President of the Magnolia ISD School Board of Trustees. He is a charter member of the local Rotary and supports his local Future Farmers of America (FFA), youth clubs, area churches, and community organizations.

During his time in the Legislature, Rep. Bell has worked on dual credit access to career and technology courses, funding for the Center for Study and Prevention of Juvenile Crime and Delinquency at Prairie View A&M University, expanding the definition of first responder to include emergency response operators and dispatchers, and property owner notice requirements for protest hearings. He has also authored legislation on landfill permitting and eminent domain proceedings.

Cecil met his wife, Jo Ann, at the 1979 National Meeting of the Beta Club Honor Society. The Bells moved to Magnolia in 1993. He and Jo Ann have two sons, Cecil “Trey” Bell III and Charlie Bell. The Bell family attends the Magnolia Church of Christ, where Cecil has served as a Deacon.