Thomas Russell Jr., 82, of Raeford, died Sunday, April 6, 2008, at Open Arms Retirement Center, Raeford.

A funeral service was held at 4 p.m. Thursday, April 10, at St. Peter Church of God, West End. Burial was in St. Matthew's Chapel Free Will Baptist Church Cemetery, West End.

Mr. Russell was born Oct. 27, 1925, a son of the late Thomas "Tommy" and Mary "Maggie" Jackson Russell. When he was young, his family moved to New York City, where he received his education in the New York City School System. Later, his family returned to the Eastwood community. At an early age, Mr. Cole worked with his dad doing carpentry and masonry.He then went into the hotel business.

A few years later, Mr. Cole moved to Hartford, Conn., where he was employed by Griers until his retirement. During this period, he met his wife, Millie Little, and decided to enter into the ministry. Mr. Cole and his wife were members of Holy Trinity Church of God in Christ for 35 years. They moved back to North Carolina in the 1990s.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, Hebert Russell, Curtis Russell and Harold Goins.

Mr. Russell is survived by his wife, Millie of the home; three daughters, Miyoshi Stephens and her husband, Steve, of Connecticut, Benaldine Johnson and her husband, Earl, of Pinehurst, and Kimberly Hagans, of Laurinburg; 10 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; two sisters, Mary "Tiz" Roberson and her husband, Wendell, and Josephine "Peanut" Swinnie, of Eastwood; a brother in-law, Sam Little and his wife, Nancy; and two sisters in-law, Doris Little and Cora Little.

Purcell Funeral Home, Southern Pines, is assisting the family.