Funeral services for Mr. Wilburn Gene Russell, age 95, of Lexington, TN will be conducted at 2 PM on Friday September 2nd, 2022 at Pafford Funeral Home in Lexington, TN with Minister P. J. Hardy and Minister Larry Waymire officiating. Burial will follow in Nebo Cemetery in Henderson County, TN. Mr. Russell died on Monday, August 29, 2022.
Born June 11, 1927 in Luray, TN, he was the son of Henry Thomas Russell and Cora Stanfill White Russell and was educated in the county school system. He was the twelfth of fifteen children in a large family that endured the 1920’s and 1930’s as sharecroppers in rural West Tennessee.
Mr. Russell, a retired General Foreman (Electrical Substation Construction) had 39 years of service with Tennessee Valley Authority upon retirement in 1989. He was a U. S. Army veteran having served in Germany in World War II. He was also a Scottish Rite Free Mason, 32nd Degree.
Mr. Russell faithfully worshiped God at Broad Street Church of Christ in Lexington, TN for two decades after relocating to Tennessee in 2001 from Okolona, MS, where he resided for 25 years and worshiped at Gatlin Street Church of Christ, being active in leadership there.
Mr. Russell is survived by two sons, Mike Russell (and wife Venita) of Lexington, TN and Steve Russell of Jackson, TN; a daughter Ann Russell Ward of Smyrna, TN; a step-daughter, Kathy Nicholson Hicks of Amory, MS; and a son-in-law, Dan Sullivan of Okolona, MS. He is also survived by his sister, Christine Russell Tritt of Wildwood, FL, 12 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, and 4 dozen nephews and nieces.
Mr. Russell was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 27 years, Jewel Pauline Nicholson Russell of Okolona, MS; his first wife (21 years), Betty Ann Brown Russell of Jackson, TN; step-son, Kenneth Nicholson and his wife Ann Nicholson of Okolona, MS; step-son Robert Nicholson of Okolona, MS; step-daughter, Jewel Nicholson Sullivan of Okolona, MS; daughter-in-law Martha Snider Russell of Lexington, TN; and grandchildren, Scott Sullivan, Danny Sullivan, and Wade Nicholson all of Okolona, MS. He was also preceded in death by five brothers and eight sisters; Raymond Russell, Matthew Russell, Truman White, Grey White, Otis White, Clora Russell, Ilene Russell Maness, Lila Russell Maness, Katherine Russell Greenway, Geneva Russell Odell, Virgie White Powell, Ruby Russell Barnes, and Peggy Russell Luna; as well as all of their spouses.
Pallbearers to serve are: David Barnes, Mark Barnes, Drew Hicks, Tracy White, Jamey Johns, Bobby Meadows, Will Byer, and Steve Russell
Visitation with the family will be from 6 PM until 8 PM on Thursday September 1st and on Friday September 2nd from 12 PM until the time of service at 2 PM
Memorials may be directed to Nebo Methodist Church Cemetery Fund or to a charity of your choice.
