Augusta Clinton, Bell Sr. was born on August 3, 1947 in Fountain, North Carolina to the late Helen Gold Barnes and Gus Bell. Augusta was the first born of seven children. Augusta attended elementary school in Farmville, North Carolina. He later moved to New York City where he attended Julius Richmond High School and received his high school diploma where he further continued his studies at Courtland Community College, John Jay College of Criminal Justice and College of Insurance. He later met and married Naomi Curtis Bell on June 13, 1970 from this union ten children were born five boys and five girls. Augusta later served in the Army and achieved the rank of Sergeant.

During his working experience he had the pleasure of working for several companies such as Fireman Fund Insurance Company, INA Insurance Company, and New York City Health and Hospital Police Department. Augusta retired from the City with over twenty years of service. 

He was a member of the Most Worshipful Hiram Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. New York City. Augusta served in many houses such as, Doric Lodge of Perfection, Eureka Chapter of Rose Croix #1, Constantine Counsil of Kadosh #15, White Eagle Consistory #5, Hiram Temple #1 A.A.O.N.M.S. and, presently he is the Worship Master of Sons of Bethlehem Lodge #28. Two years ago he received his 33rd degree in Little Rock, Arkansas. Augusta’s motto about Masonry is that he eats its, sleep it, and wears it, that was how much he loved masonry.

Augusta hobby was bowling; he bowled in many leagues and tournaments, despite his busy schedule he still found time to volunteer his services at New York State Coalition for Children and Edwin Gould Foster and Adoptive Parents Association for numerous of years. Augusta touched many lives from the North to the South and from the East Coast to the West he will surely be missed. He is preceded in death by his mother, Helen, his father, Gus and his brother, Raymond.

Augusta leaves to mourn his lovely wife, Naomi Curtis Bell; his father Earnest Barnes II; ten children, Ivan (Donna), Anthony, Augusta, Jr. (Renee), Antoine (Renee), Adam, April (Alfred), Brenda, Shavon, Alexis and Abbie all of New York; twelve grandchildren, Parish, Mecedes, Michael, Jr., Tiffany, Kenaizha, Chyanne, Terrell, Aniyah, Asante, Kennedy, Jordon and Larry Jr.; and one surrogate son, Jason Smalls, three special grandchildren, Shatra, Rahkeya, Teome; three god children, Wanda D. Johnson, Tiffany L. Henry, and Robert E. Dixon; two brothers, James (Martha) and Ernest III; three sisters, Annie (Robert), Ella, (Carl), and Betty (William); five sisters-in-law, Abbie, Julia, Elveta, Mary (Larry) and Martha (Sammy); four brothers-in-law, Nathaniel (Norma), Ezekiel (Mary), John and Harry (Debra); and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces,nephews, cousins, and special friends and brothers, Lynette, Solomon, Helen, Roger,Vicky, Wayne, Pat, Robert, Danny L. Dixon, Norma Marshburn, David Mayo, Andre Cannon, George McCain and Inspirational Leader Joseph McFadden, Sr.