Lesley Eugene “Gene” Russell, 94, of McMinnville died Thursday, Nov. 10, at Raintree Manor in McMinnville.
He was born June 30, 1922 in DeKalb County and served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a retired farmer and former employee of Ben Lomand Cooperative, and a member of Mount Hope the Baptist Church. Mr. Russell was preceded in death by his parents John Taylor and Maggie Ella West Russell, wife of 68 years Mavaneen Russell, and sisters, Louvella Adcock Jones and Anna Ruth Barnes.
Survivors include his children, Darrell (Barbara) Russell, Kenneth (Joan) Russell, and Jenene Russell Steele and husband Nick, grandchildren Anissa Russell Webster and husband, Tim, Ben Steele, Taylor (Dustin) Stoetzel, and Emily Russell, great-grandchildren Jacob Webster, Luke Webster, Tyler Steele, Micah Webster, Kaitlyn Steele, Ezra Stoetzel, and Hudson Webster, brother Tom Russell and special family friends Billy Jack and Alice Barnes . Several nieces, nephews, family members, and friends also survive.
Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at McMinnville Funeral Home Chapel. Elder Garry McBride will officiate. Interment will follow at Jefferson Cemetery in DeKalb County with elder Dwight Knowles officiating at the graveside. The Russell family will receive friends Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. and again Saturday from 8 a.m. until the time of service at the parlors of McMinnville Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.mcminnvillefuneralhome.com.
McMinnville Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.