Mr. Russell lived on the family farm and in his ancestral home (The Cedars) at Stevenson, Ala., his entire life.

After graduating from Stevenson High School, Mr. Russell began his own farming operation on the farm where he was born. In addition to his farming operation of cattle, hogs, and row crops, he trained and raced Standardbreds with his brother, Sanders. He was respected on the national racing scene for his expertise at developing young trotters and pacers. He retired from the racing industry in 1990.

He was an original member of the Jackson County Hospital Board which was instrumental in building Jackson County (Highlands Medical) and North Jackson Hospitals. He was chairman of the Hospital Board when Jackson County Nursing Home was built. He was a founding member of the Stevenson Park Board, an early member of the Depot Museum Board and a member of the Sequatchie Valley Boy Scout Council.

He was named man of the year by the Stevenson Civic Club in 1970. He was a director of First Southern National Bank for 44 years. As a lifelong member of The Stevenson First United Methodist Church, he served as Chairman of the Board, Chairman of Finance, and Chairman of Trustees.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 70 years, Ernestine Mann Russell; daughters, Mary Lucile (Bob) Allphin and Emily Campbell; grandchildren, Merideth (David) Allphin Pehler and Mark Russell (Pam) Allphin; four great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and great-great-nephews.