Perdue: Bell 'A Respected Counselor'

Griffin Bell. (USG)

Governor Sonny Perdue issued the following statement following the death of former U.S. Attorney-General Griffin Bell:

“Mary and I are saddened to hear of the passing of one of our nation’s greatest public servants and one of Georgia’s most accomplished native sons, Judge Griffin Bell. As a respected counselor to political leaders on both sides of the political spectrum, Griffin Bell’s impact on our state and nation spanned multiple generations. He had a unique ability to explain complex legal matters plainly and to bring people together over even the most contentious of issues.

"On a personal note, I am grateful for the counsel he provided to me during my time as Governor. Given his ability to hone in on the central issue in complicated legal proceedings, I was not surprised to discover that in addition to his legal talent, he had one of the best shots of any lawyer I knew. The people of Georgia celebrate the life of this extraordinary man, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

Bell’s family has scheduled a graveside service in his hometown of Americus.

Griffin Bell III says the graveside service for his grandfather will be held at the Oak Grove Cemetery at 11 a.m. Wednesday and will be open to the public.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the Second Ponce de Leon Baptist Church in Atlanta. It also will be open to the public.

Bell died of kidney failure on Monday at the age of 90. He was for decades one of Atlanta's most prominent attorneys and served as U.S. attorney general for his longtime friend Jimmy Carter for 2 1/2 years.

In addition to his grandson, Bell is survived by his wife, Nancy Kinnebrew, and a son, Griffin B. Bell Jr., both of Atlanta, granddaughter Katherine Bell McClure and five great grandchildren.

Click here for more GPB News reports about Griffin Bell.

Fmr. Carter A.G. Griffin Bell Dies

Jimmy Carter's attorney general, Griffin B. Bell, has died in Atlanta hospital at 90.

Bell died at 9:40 a.m. Monday, said Les Zucke, a spokesman for Atlanta law firm King & Spalding.

Former U.S. Attorney General Griffin Bell was being treated at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta for complications due to pancreatic cancer.

Former President Jimmy Carter said he was "deeply saddened" by Bell's death and called him a "trusted and enduring public figure."

Katherine Bell McClure said her 90-year-old grandfather had also been experiencing kidney failure and pneumonia. Bell had battled kidney disease for years and was recently diagnosed with cancer. McClure said Bell was admitted to a hospital Monday in his hometown of Americus and by midweek was moved to Piedmont.

Carter's choice of Bell, a longtime friend, as attorney general was considered the most controversial of his Cabinet picks after the 1976 election.

At the time, the NAACP and other civil rights groups complained Bell, as a federal judge, didn't force Southern schools to integrate quickly enough. But Carter called Bell's civil rights record superb, and many black Georgians - including U.N. ambassador designate Andrew Young - came forward to support him.

Bell served just 2 1/2 years at the Justice Department, returning to his Atlanta law firm. But Bell remained a key adviser to Carter.

(AP)

Former AG Griffin Bell In Atlanta Hospital

Former U.S. Attorney General Griffin Bell is being treated at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta for complications due to pancreatic cancer.

Katherine Bell McClure says her 90-year-old grandfather is also experiencing kidney failure and pneumonia. His condition Sunday was not immediately available.

Bell has battled kidney disease for years and was recently diagnosed with cancer. McClure says Bell was admitted to a hospital Monday in his hometown of Americus and by midweek was moved to Piedmont.

McClure says his hospital room was filled Saturday with family members and his minister. A leading Georgia attorney, Bell served as attorney general under President Jimmy Carter.

(AP)

Griffin Bell Memorial Today in Atlanta

Hundreds of friends and numerous political leaders are expected to gather this morning for a memorial service in Atlanta, remembering former U.S. Attorney General Griffin Bell. President Jimmy Carter will headline the politicos, a longtime friend of Bell’s and Carter’s pick for Attorney General in 1976. Bell also served for over a decade as a federal judge with important contributions to desegregation of schools in the South. He was also a prominent attorney for decades. Today’s memorial follows Bell’s funeral two days ago in Americus.

Flags lowered to honor Griffin Bell

Governor Sonny Perdue has ordered flags on state buildings to half staff in memory of Griffin Bell. Bell died yesterday of complications from cancer. He served as a federal judge in Georgia, as Jimmy Carter's U.S. Attorney General, and as an advisor to state and national leaders. Flags will fly at half-staff tomorrow on the day of his funeral, which will be held in Americus in southwest Georgia.

Funeral for Griffin Bell Draws 500

Today 500 friends and family gathered under sunny skies at the graveside of Griffin B. Bell, the former U.S. attorney general who died on Monday. Bell was buried at Oak Grove Cemetery in Americus in southwest Georgia. He was for decades one of Atlanta's most prominent attorneys and served as the nation's top lawyer for his longtime friend Jimmy Carter for 2 1/2 years.

(Associated Press)