Dr. Chester Harold Russell, 74 of Florala, AL passed away on February 14, 2007 in Wiregrass Hospital in Geneva, AL. He was a member of the Friendship Baptist Church of Grand Bay, AL where he played the piano for their outreach musical ministry. He resided in Mobile, before Parkinson’s disease took away this God-given talent. He was born March 21, 1932 to Lonzo and Della Russell and had been a resident of Florala for several years.
Russell was preceded in death by his parents, Lozo and Della Russell, four brothers, Clifton, Nathan, Cleveland, and Haston Russell; three sisters, Ruby Sellers, Bertha Morris, and Myrtle Davis; two nephews, Preston Morris and Wayne Russell and one niece, Wanda Faye Russell. He is survived by 15 nieces and nephews and many special life-long friends.
Russell was an educator, musician and a real estate broker during much of his life.
Although he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at the age of 42, he fought it with all his strength until he succumbed to it at age 74.
After completing high school, he received his B.A. degree from Troy State University majoring in English, a Master of Arts degree from Florida State University majoring in Administration and Guidance, and a PhD. degree from Indiana State University majoring in Guidance.
As an educator he taught from the high school level to the college level, including Director of Student Counseling Services and Associate Professor at Auburn University.
Russell served in the U.S. Army for three years. While in the Army he took Advanced Training in Germany and was then sent to Frankfurt, Germany where he served as interpreter and translator.
Russell was a very renowned pianist. His interest began in his secondary school years at Paxton High School where he graduated in 1949. Each stop he took in his life, he became involved with the musical aspect of that community. He played and loved his baby grand piano for many years until the Parkinson’s disease prevented him from playing.
He spent much of his many years in Mobile where he was in real estate and insurance sales. As his health declined, he relocated to Florala to be closer to family members and have attendant care. Even as his body became more frail, he continued to fight the effect of the disease by doing exercises daily. He loved Southern cooking, especially pecan pie and cake and ice cream. Although as the disease took more away from him, the caregivers pureed his food for him to continue eating those foods that he enjoyed so much.
So much appreciation is given for the unselfish love and care given by his caregivers, Lena Alford, Steve Pearson and Mr. and Mrs. Willie Bell during so many years of illness. It is refreshing to his family and friends that these caregivers went beyond the “call of duty” to prepare those favorite dishes and desserts for him.
Funeral services were held February 24, 2007 at Evans Funeral Home in Florala with Bro. Frank McIntosh, Mr. and Mrs. Bud and Bettie Woodcook, Mrs. Sharon Jones and his nephew, Harold Morris contributing to the program.
Serving as pall bearers were Kevin, Kelby and T.W. Russell, Leron Geoghagan, Woodrow Braswell and Jared Leddon.
Burial followed in the Paxton Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Chester H. Russell Scholarship Fund at Paxton High School, P.O. Box 1168, Paxton, FL 32538, Compassionate Hands Hospice, 712 West Maple Ave., Geneva, AL 36340 or a charity of the giver’s choice.
[Source: The DeFuniak Springs Herald, March 1, 2007, Page 7B]
[Burial: Paxton Cemetery, Paxton]