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Joseph Kelley Bellew
August 16, 2026
Joseph Kelley Bellew age 98 passed away on Friday, August 14, 2026, at his home in Walnut Hill, FL. He was surrounded by his beloved wife, Annette Bellew, and family.
Joe was preceded in death by his first wife Patricia Ellen Bellew of 38 years; his parents John Tyrie Bellew and Allie Bertie Bellew; his brothers Max Tyrie Bellew and “Pat” Fayette Edward Bellew.
Joe is survived by his wife Annette Bellew; his sister Mary Henslee; brothers-in-law BC Hall (Mary), and Robert Hall (Mary); his sons “Ted” Theodore Toop and David Bellew (Susan); his stepsons Edward Giddins and “Johnny” John Giddins; his grandchildren Gary Toop Sr. (Pam), Richie Toop (Lorretta), Chandra Toop, Scarlett Hommerbocker (Preston), “Beth” Elizabeth Cantrell (Adam), “Katy” Kathryn Rush (Josh), “Cristy” Cristin Bellew, Carmen Gindl (Stephen), Chad Giddins, and John-Dereck Giddins; great-grandchildren Gary Toop Jr., Krystale Toop, Amber McCraney, Marcus Toop, Brian Toop, Dannah Knight, Chelsey Abbott, Blessing Masciale, Breanna Hommerbocker, Addison Cantrell, Morgan Cantrell, Alexander Rush, Madison Rush, Isaiah Hughes, Benjamin Latham, Caleb Gindl, Lacie Gindl, Adam Gindl, Brayden Gindl, CJ Gindl, Izabelle Gindl, Blaise Gindl, Connor Giddins, and Cameron Giddins; and 19 great-great-grandchildren.
Joe was born February 1,1928, in Oneonta, Alabama, to John Tyrie Bellew and Allie Bertie Bellew. He moved to Michigan for work in 1950 where he met and married “Pat” Patricia Ellen McDonald and where their son David was born. In 1955, Joe moved his young family to Barwick, Georgia, to help his family on a farm after his brother Max’s tragic accident. After learning the farm was being sold, he met a traveling veterinarian who told him about a job in Florida where they needed a “good cow man.”
Joe began work for La Forest Perdida in 1960 as a Cattle Foreman. He was a true Cattle-Roping Cowboy. If he wasn’t working with the cows and horses, planting trees, baling hay or mowing grass, he was chasing hunters off the company property. Joe was a hard worker who had to be moving. He always preferred to be outdoors. He continued doing the work he loved for over half a century until he was made to retire at the age of 82, or as he put it, “I was fired.”
The most important event of his life happened in 1962 when, in answer to his mother’s faithful and fervent prayers, he became a new man, saved by Christ. On that day Joseph Kelley Bellew changed from dark to light. Leaving his old life behind, he was now focused on reading his Bible every day, praying and attempting to win souls for Christ. He would not be in a conversation with someone long before asking if they were a Christian or if they knew the Lord. No matter what you called him: Joe, Dad, Papaw, Brother Joe, or Deacon, he has left us all with a legacy of faith and service. He was loved and will be greatly missed by his family, by his church, by his community, by the many men who came to see him as a father figure, and by the children who knew him as “The Candy Man” at Enon Baptist Church.
Funeral services for Joseph (Joe) Bellew will be held at Enon Baptist Church, 7121 CR-97A McDavid, FL, on Tuesday, August 18. Family visitation at 10 a.m., open visitation 10:30-11:30 a.m. Service to follow immediately after conclusion of visitation, followed by a grave side service at adjacent Enon cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Roy Thomas, Bill Jacoby, Robert Hall, David Chaver, Michael Chaver, and Jason Lamb.
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