Roy L. “Buddy” Russell, Jr.
Roy L. “Buddy” Russell, Jr., 87, died on May 1, 2016, at Hardy Wilson Memorial Hospital after a short illness.
Visitation will be Monday from 5pm-7pm at Stringer Family Funeral Home in Hazlehurst. Services will be 2pm Tuesday at Stringer Family Chapel with burial to follow at Spring Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mr. Russell, born in Copiah County on September 15, 1928, was a cattle farmer and retired businessman. He served four years active duty on the U.S.S. Purdy as a member of the Navy during the Korean War and spent thirty-eight years in the Mississippi Army National Guard, retiring as a Sergeant Major in 1988 and later was called back to active duty at age 62 during Desert Storm/Desert Shield. He was a member of Spring Hill Baptist Church and the Pearl Masonic Lodge #23.
Buddy, or “Granddaddy” as he was known to his 18 grandchildren and great-grandchildren, enjoyed gardening, his animals, John Deere tractors, pearl-snap shirts, his wife’s cooking and watching the Mississippi State Bulldogs. His greatest joy in life was his children and grandchildren, and he impressed upon them all the importance of hard work and the legacy of family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Roy L. Russell, Sr., his brother Anding Russell, his sister Kathleen Lupo, and his son Bobby Wayne Russell. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Bobby Jones Russell, sons Roy L. Russell, III, (LeeAnn) and William “Bill” Russell (Becky), daughter Rita Jackson (Jimmy), all of Hazlehurst, and daughter-in-law Laura Russell of Oklahoma. He is also survived by his grandchildren Laron Russell, Jennifer Norman (Will), Ruston Russell (Diane), Pam McAllister (Daniel), Dr. Laura Miller (John), Katie Walker (Eric), Alex Russell, Sam Russell, Halle Russell, and Makayla Russell and nine great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters Nell Barlow of Clinton and Shelia Simon (Bobby) of Columbia.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Copiah Academy Technology Fund or charity of your choice.
