Mr. Russell Long (R.L.) Anthony

R.L. was born on March 21, 1937, in Marvel, Alabama to Myrtle and Moman Anthony. He graduated from Montevallo High School and served in the United States Army. He worked in IT management at both Vulcan Materials and Alabama Power for nearly 30 years. He then obtained a Tax Preparer Certification and owned and operated SS Accounting for over 25 years. He was a member of Shades Mountain Baptist Church in Vestavia Hills, Alabama where his wife and he served in the preschool division.

R.L. was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was fiercely loyal to his family, friends, clients and Crimson Tide football. All who knew and loved him will sorely miss him.

Preceding him in death are his son, Michael Todd Anthony; his parents, Myrtle Russell Anthony and Moman Leroy Anthony; his brother, Moman Leroy Anthony, Jr.; and his sister, June Anthony Hadaway.

Left to cherish his memory are his adoring wife, Gwen Anthony; his son, Russell Steven Anthony (Rhonda), three granddaughters, Marilyn Todd Anthony, Lillian Brooke Anthony and Haleigh Frances Anthony; brother, Delmus Ray Anthony; and three sisters, Frances Elizabeth Anthony, Geraldine Anthony Hicks and Charlotte Anthony Patrick.

Funeral service for Mr. Anthony will be held at Ridout’s Southern Heritage Funeral Home on Sunday, January 3, 2020, at 2:00 pm with burial at Southern Heritage Cemetery immediately following. The funeral service will also be livestreamed at www.facebook.com/SouthernHeritageFuneral for those who wish to watch from home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made in R.L.’s name to the Big Oak Ranch at www.bigoak.org