1. Pick through beans to remove bad ones. Soak beans overnight in cold water. Drain and rinse.
2. In large soup pot or Dutch oven, stir together beans, water, green pepper, oil, onion, garlic, and salt. Cover and boil for 1 hour.
3. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 3-4 hours or until beans are very tender. Stir occasionally, and add water if needed.
4. Remove and mash about 1/3 of beans. Return to pot. Stir and heat through.
5. Remove bay leaves and stir in lemon juice.
6. Serve over rice; Garnish with pimento and lemon wedges.
