Ken went home to be with Christ his Savior on Dec. 4, 2023, at Baptist Hospital in Memphis.
Memorials may be sent to Leawood East Baptist Church, 1620 N. Houston Levee Road, Cordova, TN.
Funeral services were 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, at Leawood East Baptist Church at Cordova, with Dr. Stacy Stilgenbauer, Dr. Jeff Hardy and Dr. Kenny Bruce officiating.
Burial was at 10 a.m. Friday at Cave Springs Cemetery in Chester County. The family received friends at Leawood East Baptist Church from 3-5 p.m. on Thursday. The family wishes to express our heartfelt thanks for the many prayers and support you have provided us over the course of his illness and especially over the last few weeks. You have been the hands and feet of Christ for us.
He was born April 17, 1939, in Trezevant. He married Geraldine (Jerri) Rowland on February 9, 1963. He gave his heart to Jesus as a young man while farming on his tractor, where he could be found much of the time for years to come. He was a faithful member of Leawood Baptist Church and Leawood East Baptist Church for over 55 years, serving in many roles including deacon, Sunday School director, and LEBC’s Director of Education.
His early career included work at Corondolet Department Store where he became a manager. He then started his own business, Russell Wood Products, which was an overflow of his passion for woodworking. He graduated from Memphis State University with a BA of Science and Education. Later, he worked at Briarcrest Christian School for 22 years, initially as a Business Teacher and Coach, and then as Director of Finance and Project Manager.
He was a faithful follower of Christ, he enjoyed serving his church and its members with generous hospitality, and he fervently loved his family. He was interested and invested in the lives of his children and grandchildren, always making sure that everyone was provided for, and willing to brag on them to whoever would listen.
He is survived by Jerri, his wife of 60 years; son John (Judy) of Knoxville; daughter Rhonda (Lance) of Arlington; grandchildren, Carri Russell of Knoxville, Katie Russell of Knoxville, Mitchell (Reagan) Davis of New Albany, Miss., Russell Davis of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Anna Davis of Lexington, Ky.; and longtime friend and adopted nurse, Nancy Paysinger of Memphis.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Eula Conley and John Thomas Russell, and his mentor, LeRoy Montgomery.
