Brother Alonzo Russ, Sr.

Obituary For Brother Alonzo Russ, Sr.

A TIME TO BE BORN:

Alonzo Russ, Sr., received the gift of life on November 15, 1939, in Cottondale, Florida to the late Houston and Willie Mae Russ. A TIME TO PLANT: Alonzo accepted Christ as his personal Savior at an early age and joined Bethlehem AME Church for more than 70 years. He served as a Trustee, Steward, choir member, and a devoted church member. When church repairs needed to be done, he did not hesitate to fix the problem.

A TIME TO GROW:

He received his education from Jackson County Training School in Jackson County. Later in life he was employed with the State of Florida and the former Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys for more than 37 years, where he retired from in April of 2000. Alonzo’s passion was fishing on the ocean waves trying to catch that big red fish. During the spring and fall of the year, he planted a beautiful garden with fresh okra, squash, corn, peas, beans, and the tasty collard cabbage greens. He shared with family and friends throughout the community. He also loved to build and create different projects to suit his need on making things look better for easy access. Alonzo was a lifetime member of the Gospel Jubilees for over 50 years. He loved singing an array of spiritual hymns and songs with the group. They always traveled the tri-state area sharing the Word of praise throughout the communities. Alonzo was a member of the Independent Band #2, better known as Morning Star Baptist – Longview, just off Highway 231, for more than 70 years. The one thing that Alonzo had most was a loving, devoted wife that gave him love and care. Ollie had a way of getting his attention by calling him “Darling” whenever they talked or making meals for the day. Alonzo was a great husband, daddy, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, friend, and most of all, a child of God. He was loved by his family and will be truly missed.

A TIME TO BUILD:

Alonzo was united in holy matrimony to Ollie Mae Malone on September 11, 1960. Their marriage endured for 63 years. This union was blessed with six wonderful children.

A TIME TO REST:

With his family at his side, Alonzo stepped across the threshold of life and went to be with the Lord on Friday, April 12, 2024, at 6:35 p.m. at home. He will be greeted with outstretched arms by his parents, Houston and Willie Mae Russ; daughter, Gainell Z. Russ; sisters, Malize Roulhac and Rebecca Speights; father and mother-in-law, Robert Sr. and J.D. Malone; sisters-in-law, Betty Perry and Annette Davis; and brothers-in-law, Howard Malone, Billy Malone, and Lynn Malone.

A TIME TO MOURN:

Precious memories will remain with a caring and devoted family, including his wife, Ollie Mae Russ; two daughters, Effie Newbold (Tony) of Worcester, Massachusetts and Stephanie Russ of Marianna, Florida; three sons, Alonzo Russ, Jr., of Texas, Steven Russ, Sr. (Therasa) of Cottondale, Florida, and Jeffery Russ (Amy) of Panama City, Florida; three sisters-in-law, Beatrice Collier of Marianna, Florida, Lena Malone of Jacob City, Florida, and Druise Malone of Hempstead, New York; two brothers-in-law, DeWitt Perry of Louisburg, North Carolina and Robert Malone, Jr., of Marianna, Florida; nine grandchildren, Mickle Judd, Steven Russ, Jr., Dyonsia Baker, William Davenport, Michael Thomas Forward, Neporia Kennedy, Monique Russ, Bishop Russ, and Jessica Russ; three bonus grandchildren, Marshanna Johnson, Lonnie Spells, and Mattisyn Desinger; eight great-grandchildren, Christian Thomas, Taylon Mullins, Brantley Thomas, Kynslee Baker, Kalynn Baker, Amora Russ, Khelsi Russ, and Sameera Judd; bonus great-grandchildren, Jelani Abbott and Maurice Reading; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

Homegoing services for Brother Alonzo Russ, Sr. will be held on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Bethlehem AME Church with Pastor Carl Hill, Evangelist Samuel Gray, Rev. Joseph Curry, Rev. Freddie D. Roulhac officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery with the caring staff of Peoples Funeral Home of Marianna directing.

Public viewing and visitation will be Monday, April 22, 2024 from 4 to 6 pm at the chapel of Peoples Funeral Home in Marianna, FL.

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