ACTIVE PALLBEARERS

Daniel Ekelem David Ekelem

Timothy Russell Timothy Washington

Donnie Davis Jermaine Autry

HONORARY PALLBEARERS

Nephews

FLOWER ATTENDANTS

Nieces

FINAL ARRANGEMENTS ENTRUSTED TO:

Armour’s Memorial Services 1465 N. Central Avenue/P.O. Box 241—Alexander City, Alabama 35011

256.234.2776 phone / 256.234.0259 fax

www.armourfuneralhome.com / Email: armourfh@gmail.com

Darrell Armour, Manager

Demetrius Armour, Director

Mrs. Hattye M. Armour, Director/Owner

Funeral Service

Saturday, January 19, 2019 @ 9.00 A.M.

Miracle Missionary Baptist Church 1687 I Street Alexander City, AL 35010

Dr. Eddie L. Hunter, Pastor

Rev. Dr. Emerson Ware, Jr., Eulogist

Armour’s Memorial Funeral Home Staff, Directing

M E M O R I E S

Acknowledgements We, the Family of Rev. David Lee Russell, are grateful to God for the gifts of friends

like you who have been so kind and thoughtful during our time of sorrow.

Your calls, visits, flowers sent and every act of kindness shown, have given

us strength and inspiration to face this hour.

May God’s blessing shine upon each and every one of you!

A Special thanks to Rev. Thomas Family in our hour of need.

The Russell Family

Celebration of life for

Reverend David Lee Russell

January 14, 2019 July 2, 1943

Obituary

“His Legacy”

On January 14, 2019 the Angel of God whispered:

Rev. David Lee Russell

You fought a good fight. You have kept the faith.

The battle is fought, and the victory is won;

Come now and take your rest.”

David Lee Russell was born July 2, 1943 in Lower Peachtree, Ala-

bama to the late Roosevelt & Allean Russell. He was the ninth oldest of

twelve children.

David accepted Christ at an early age at Lanes Chapel C.M.E. Church

and has continued to be a faithful Man of God all throughout his life.

David graduated from high school May 25, 1962 from Community

Center High School in Lower Peach Tree, AL and continued his educa-

tion at White’s Barber College in Mobile, Alabama. He moved to Los

Angeles, CA in 1964 where he married the love of his life Sophia

Washington on June 12, 1965, and they later settled in La Puente, Cal-

ifornia. With that union three beautiful daughters were born.

In 1969, after fellowshipping with several churches, he united with

St. Stephens Missionary Baptist Church in La Puente, CA. Under the

leadership of Pastor E. W. McCall, David served as a loyal deacon

and later answered the call to become an ordained minister and

served as an Associate Pastor for over twenty years. In 1991 he be-

came the Senior Pastor of St. John Missionary Baptist Church in

Baldwin Park, faithfully serving the congregation for fifteen years. In

addition to full time ministry, David worked as a warehouse foreman

for forty years, until he retired and later moved to Alexander City,

Alabama.

David united with Great Bethel Missionary Baptist Church after

moving to Alexander City where he faithfully served as a Mission-

ary for 10 years. He later became Moderator of The Early Rose

District; overseeing over twenty local churches. During this time,

his work ethic, dedication and his Love of God inspired and

touched many. He had such a committed desire to do whatever

was needed to make the Early Rose District Center all that it

could be, while giving God all the praise and Glory. All of his tire-

less work and dedication are evident, reflecting his labor of love

and commitment to God until he went to be with the Lord.

David is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 54 years, So-

phia Russell, three daughters; Jacquelyn (Darryl) Wood - Russell

of Lawrenceville, GA, Dena (Benson) Ekelem of Rancho

Cucamonga, CA, and Tiffany Russell of Alexander City, AL. Six

grandchildren; Christiana “Chrissy” Ekelem, Asia Ore, Daniel

Ekelem, David Ekelem, Hannah Ekelem and Danielle Russell. He

was a loving brother of twelve siblings, seven proceeded him in

death: Benjamin Russell, Sr., Lucille Odom, Subera Kidd, Rosa

Nell Bracket, Grace Young, Doris Davis and Roosevelt, Jr. Rus-

sell. The survivors to cherish his memories are Ruth McCaskey of

Lower Peachtree, AL; Genie (Clara) Campbell of Denver, CO; Pa-

tricia Brown of Huntsville, AL; Charles (Delois) Russell of Lower

Peach Tree, AL; Pearlean (George) Washington of Duluth, GA;

Edward (Barbara) Cheeseboro of Packers Bend, AL; Four In-

Laws: C.S.M (Ret) Evans (Rose) Washington of Harker Heights,

TX; Verlene Powe and Mamie Selvage of Mobile, AL; George

Washington of Duluth, GA; and a host of nieces, nephews, rela-

tives and friends.

He will be greatly missed and will forever live in our hearts.

Order of Service

Processional Ministers & Family

Scripture Readings: Old Testament Rev. Tracy Burton New Testament Rev. Ivan Washington Prayer of Comfort Rev. Eddie Hunter Ministry in Song Laura Washington Expression (2 min. Please) Family and Friends Resolutions

Tributes: As a Moderator Rev. Adonis Thomas As a Friend Deacon Thomas Warren Eulogy Rev. Dr. Emerson Ware Ministry In Song Words of Thanks George Washington Recessional Interment St. Thomas A.M.E. Church 323 St. Thomas Church Road Lower Peach Tree, AL 36751