Joseph Arthur Russell

Joe Arthur Russell was born September 19, 1939 in Jackson, Mississippi. After completing high school at St. Mary’s High school in Vicksburg, he served in the United States military for two years, where he learned to be an electrician. His technical training provided him an opportunity to live in New York City, as an electrician to the great subway system. At only 22 years old, a near fatal accident working on the subway caused irreversible damage to his brain.

Despite this and many other childhood traumas, Joe will be remembered by his family members as a man who beat odds and never complained in the midst. He experienced a great number of trials, but he triumphed each time he was faced with hardship-even until he took his last breath on March 25, 2022 around 5:30 PM.

Joe is survived by his sisters and brothers Elnora Boykin, Chester Russell, Carrie Pringle, Jimmy Russell, and his nieces and nephews Connie/Al Beal (Norman, OK), Alisha/Earnest Johnson (Chandler, AZ), Brenda/Trey Palmer (Oklahoma City), Victor Burgess, Michelle/David Durrant (Corona, CA), and Denzel Russell (St. Louis, Mo). He will be fondly remembered by a host of great nieces, nephews, a great- great niece & two great-great nephews.

They remember his ability to construct poetry, a skill he maintained throughout his life, as journals were filled with the thoughts he could not communicate verbally. They remember his love for any food he was served, especially if accompanied by one of his favorite beverages. They remember his gentleness and the way he provided companionship for his sister, Elnora, in the latter years of his life.

Joe knew Jesus as his Lord and Savior, declaring such on his death bed. He was known to pray before each meal, without fail: “God is great. God is good. Let us thank him for our food. By his hands we are fed. Give us Lord our daily bread.”

Little did he know, his presence was like daily bread-blessing- to each person he encountered. He was loved by all and will be dearly missed.