DARRELL A. RUSSEL Dr. Darrell Arden Russel, a noted soil scientist and genealogist, passed away Friday, December 24 at his home in Florence.
Time of visitation will be Monday, Decemeber 27, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Elkins Funeral Home Florence. The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, December 28 at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of the funeral home. Brother David Gregg will officiate. Burial will follow in Greenview Memorial Gardens.
Dr. Russel was born on May 26, 1921 in McPherson, Kansas. He served with the 36th Division in World War II on the front lines of Europe and was a Prisoner of War in Poland and Germany. He earned his Ph. D. in Soil Fertility and Analyical Chemistry. He retired from TVA with 23 years of service.
He was a founder of the Natchez Trace Genealogical Society. He was a volunteer for the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library and Lauderdale County Courthouse.
Dr. Russel is survived by his wife of 60 years, Avice Marion Hanline Russel. Other survivors include nine children: Duane Russel and wife Leslie of Prairie Village, KS; Phyllis Russel of Knoxville, TN; Dale Russel and wife Debra of Florence; Beverly Russel Robertson and husband Sam of Killen; Paul Russel and wife Sheila of Killen; Floyd Russel and wife Martha of Fayetteville, NC; Keith Russel and wife Tonya of Killen; Rebecca Russel Robertson and husband Terry of Pueblo West, CO; and Juanita Russel Williams and husband Keith of Florence; 19 grandchildren, Kristopher Robertson, Melissa Blankenship, Michele Wilkinson, Sabian Russel, Andrew Russel, Anthony Russel, Jessica Woods, Lyle Robertson, Darcy Russel, Audra Robertson, Camille Russel, Amy Russel, Leanne McLaughlin, Marcie Lauth, Justin Teal, Rachel Williams, Adrian Russel, Mariana Russel, and Zachary Russel. 7 great-grandchildren: Kanyon Robertson, Samuel Blankenship, Paige Wilkinson, Foster Robertson, Emma Ruth Blankenship, Avery Russel, and Ellie Robertson.
Pallbearers will be Sabian Russel, Andrew Russel, Anthony Russel, Justin Teal, Adrian Russel, Lincoln Woods, Kris Robertson, and Robert Blankenship.
In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library, 350 North Wood Avenue, Florence, AL 35630.