Robert Rufus “Bob” Russell, 85, of Ellerbe, died Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012, at Autumn Care of Biscoe.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26, at Saron Baptist Church, with the Rev. Richard Stanford officiating. Interment will be held privately, in Norman Cemetery. The family will see friends following the service in the church fellowship hall.
Mr. Russell was born Dec. 12, 1926, in Montgomery County, a son of the late David Alexander and Rosa Belle Hinson Russell. He was a member of Saron Baptist Church, where he had served as a deacon, a member of the Ellerbe Farm Supply Acknowledgement Group, and a diehard Yankees fan. He served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the U.S. Air Force. He was a retired truck driver with Dixie Driver Service.
Surviving are his wife of 66 years, Josephine Covington Russell, of the home; son, Bobby Russell and wife, Linda, of Ellerbe; daughters, Roseann Gerald, of Ellerbe, Robin Burke and husband, Les, of Pinehurst, and Renea Wadsworth, of Carthage; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and a sister, Jane Burris, of Raleigh.
Memorials may be made to Saron Baptist Church, WMU, P.O.Box 540, Ellerbe, NC 28338.
Online condolences may be madeat www.carterfuneral.net.
Carter Funeral Home of Ellerbe is assisting the Russell family.