James Russell

James Leon Russell, 85, went to be with the Lord at his home at Plantersville on Friday, June 26, 2009. Funeral services will be at Lawrence Brown Service Funeral Home in Selma on Sunday, June 28, 2009, at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Jerry Sanders officiating. Visitation will be 6-8pm Saturday, June 27, 2009 at the funeral home. Burial will be at Pineview Cemetery in Valley Grande. Pall bearers will be his grandsons. Mr. Russell is survived by his wife of 66 years, Jeanette Frith Russell. He also leaves 6 children - 3 sons and 3 daughters: Donnie Russell of Plantersville, Rick (Cindy) Russell of Opelika, AL; Mark (Lisa) Russell of Buford, GA; Linda Russell (Larry) Headley; Jeanne Russell (Allen) Frith, and Sandi Russell all of Plantersville. He is also survived by one brother, Leonard (Mavis) Russell of Tuscaloosa, and one sister, Gertrude Hunke of LaPorte, TX. He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 sisters, a daughter-in-law, Carol Russell and a grandson, Ryan Russell. He is survived by 14 grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and 2 step-great grandchildren. Mr. Russell was a veteran of World War II, receiving the purple heart for wounds he received fighting on the Sigfreid Line during the Battle of the Bulge. He lived his entire life in the Plantersville area. He retired from the Plantersville Post Office after 25 years as rural mail carrier. He leaves behind many friends and other relatives.