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Obituary for JOHN W. RUSSELL, SR.
John W Russell, 84, of Washington, DC passed away on December 3, 2011 at VA Medical Center, Washington, MD. He was born on April 20, 1927, to the late Clyde Monroe and Alice Elizabeth Russell. He was the third of four children, Martha (deceased), Kenneth (deceased), and Humphrey Russell. John attended public schools in Calvert County Maryland, Mount Hope Elementary and William Sampson Brooks High School. John was raised by his great grandparents Joseph and Alice Ireland Jones along with his older sister, Martha Russell Bowie, younger brother, Humphrey 'Tink' Russell, an uncle and several cousins. He would always be the first to volunteer whenever work was needed to be done. His grandmother would comment that John’s dad Clyde had the same work ethics. He was also kind, gracious, and a giver to his family and friends. John served in the U.S. Army with distinction. After an honorable discharge in 1946, he attended a trade school for upholstering. His career path however, would lead him to the U.S. postal service, where he received several certificates of achievement, and after 37 years of service, retired as Supervisor over the mail equipment shop, where keys and locks were made. John was always very protective of his younger brother, Tink, his personal and private mailman who delivered love letters to Drusilla Jones, the love of his life. On August 7, 1948, they were joined in holy matrimony. From this union, they had five children, John Jr., Carolyn, Gail, Leona, and Shenita. Their sixth child was Carolyn's daughter Kim, who was considered more of a daughter than granddaughter. John and Drusilla moved to Washington, DC, where they would become members of Douglas United Methodist church. During his membership at Douglas, he served on various committees, ushered, and taught Sunday school. After over 30 years of membership at Douglas, they decided to make their final church home Campbell AME. John was a very protective husband and dad. Mom had the hardest job ever 'being a stay at home mom.' Dad enjoyed mom being home when the children arrived from school, having snacks ready to eat, and on cold rainy days, hot soup. When mom and dad went to the grocery store, and they say 'you can go outside, but do not leave the porch,' we did not leave the porch. We thought dad was a little too overly protected, but when I look at the way society is today, I wished there were more Dad's like ours. He was 'The BEST' dad ever. On March 9, 2011, his wife of 63 years became a heavenly angel. John was so saddened, as he lost the love of his life, the other half of his heart. He missed her so much. His spirits were buoyed when his brother Tink, visited with him for a week. His children and grandchildren also kept him uplifted. The grand children visited him in the hospital a week before his passing. The grandchildren loved their granddaddy and he loved them so very much. Seeing them always put a smile to his face. There are so many wonderful memories of John which will inspire his family. He will live in our hearts forever. John's legacy will continue to flourish in the lives of his children and family, John W. Russell, Jr. (Deborah), Carolyn Russell, Gail Russell McClain (Ricky Sr.), Leona Russell Floyd (Bruce), and Shenita Russell Wells (Tony); one brother, Humphrey 'Tink' Russell (Sally); four sisters-in-law, Muriel Russell (Kenneth deceased), Margaret Hall (Robert deceased) Florencetine Randall (Thomas) and Doris Jones (Stanley deceased); eight grandchildren; Tammy, Kim, Troy, John III (Miriam), Ricky, Jr. (Erika), Caitlyn, Richard, and Rachel; five great-grandchildren, Randolph, Timi, Jaylen, Anja', and Ricky III, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
