Calvin Joe Russell

Deacon Calvin Joe Russell, Sr. was born January 14, 1965 in Prescott Arkansas. He was born to the late Susie Gill and the late Billy Joe Russell. He was raised by his grandmother, Liddie Mae Gill. He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age. Deacon Russell was a faithful and devoted husband and father, step-brother, brother-in-law, uncle, cousin, friend and servant of the Lord.

He was a life-long member of St. Clair Baptist Church and he cherished every opportunity to magnify the lord. He worked diligently as the only Deacon of St. Clair, and as a Trustee. He was also a Mason, Calvin was faithful in doing what he could to help in the Master's cause.

Calvin attended and graduated at the Okolona School system. After graduation from high school, Calvin was employed by Tyson Foods in 1984 and remained there until 2003. In 2004, he was employed by the Arkadelphia Human Development Center where he was a Residential Caretaker. he remained there until his death.

Nothing brought him more joy than taking care of his family, especially his two children: Ariel and Calvin (better known as Jr.). They were his pride and joy. Calvin was known for his smile, kind spirit, and a willingness to help anyone he could.

Calvin went home to be with the Lord on November 19, 2012. He will be missed by his wife, Amanda Russell; his two children, Calvin Russell, Jr. and Ariel Russell of Okolona, AR; two step brothers, Tony Lomack (Shakara) of Tulip, AR; and Patrick Lomack (lakesha) of Malvern, AR; one aunt, Clara Mae of Savanna, GA; three uncles, Henry Chester (Shelia) Gill of Anchorage, AK; Jerry Wayne Gill of Hope, AR; and Luster Gill of Arkadelphia, AR; five great-aunts, four great-uncles, three sister-in-laws, four brother-in-laws, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other family members and friends. His physical presence will be missed but we have our memories of him to cherish and praise God for sharing him with us. We celebrate his homegoing knowing that he is now absent form the body but present with the Lord.


Funeral service will be held Saturday at 1 P.M. at the St. Clair Baptist Church, Burtsell, Arkansas where Rev. Derek Newburn is Pastor and Eulogist. Burial will be at Rome Cemetery at Burtsell under the direction of Mitchell Funeral Home. Visitation is Friday at the Funeral Home from 12 to 7 P.M. Family hour is 6 to 7 P.M.

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