Harry Leon Russell

Harry Leon Russell, age 86, passed away in his home on Thursday Morning, 7/17/14. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, July 21, 2014, at Central Academy Church of Christ, Batesville, MS with Mr. Ed Casteel officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Olivet Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends on 1:00 p.m. Monday at the church. Mr. Russell was born on June 28, 1928 to the late Effie Tennesse Buchanan Russell & Edgar Earnest Russell, Sr in Panola County, Mississippi. He was a member of the Central Academy Church of Christ. Mr. Harry served his country in the United States Army Reserves. Harry is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary Quay Tidwell Russell. He was the loving father of the late Carol Ann Russell, Vickie Russell Runnels (Ricky), and Tonya Nichole Russell Shultice (Wesley). He leaves his four grandchildren, Danielle Runnels Moore, Rayna Runnels Sharpe, Ava Quay Shultice and Alivia Jolee Shultice; also, two great grandsons, Joshua Blane Joyner and Matthew Majure McWilliams. He is also survived by three brothers, Billy Russell (Betty), Gladden Russell (Annis) of Batesville, Joe M. Russell of Water Valley and one sister, Ethel Russell French (Eugene) of Memphis, TN. Those honored to serve as Pallbearers include: James Russell, Ronnie Runnels, Dean Hollowell, Mike Moore, Blane Joyner, Norris Shuemaker and Maffett Pound. Honorary Pallbearers include: Howard Tatum, Kenny Anderson and Barnell Howe. Harry Russell dedicated his life to his family and was always willing to help others. He found Christ and lived his life for the Lord. He spent his entire life as a commercial fisherman on the nearby lakes and waterways. Although he was an avid hunter and outdoorsman, he was also an animal lover. He contributed to St. Jude Research Hospital and LeBonheur Children's Hospital.The Russell family asks that for anyone wishing to make memorial denoations please direct those to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105) or Central Academy Church of Christ (2580 Central Academy Road, Batesville, MS 38606).