Gail Eugene Russell

M r. G.E. (Gail) Russell of Tifton went home to his Lord Tuesday, September 5, 2017 at his residence. He was 83.

Funeral services will be held 12:00 P.M., Saturday, September 9 at the chapel of Albritton Funeral Directors with Pastor Jim Sumner officiating. Eulogy will be given by his brother-in-law, Embree Bolton. His son, Richard Russell is the soloist. The family will receive friends before the service 10:00 -11:45 A.M.  Interment will be at 4:00 at Akridge Cemetery in Sale City.

Serving as pallbearers are his grandsons Scott and Tyler Beasley, Russell Luke Bradford, Rusty Thomas, Grant Russell, Thomas Verenakis, Jr. and Michael Verenakis.  Honorary pallbearers are Carey Parrish, Tyrone Dean, Alan McLeod, Landon Maxwell, Robert Funk, James Bozeman, Don Jones, James Brown, Roger Danford, Josh McCrimmon , H.L. Spradlin, John Bell and Bonnie Dean.

Mr. Russell was born January 6, 1934, in Redfield, Kansas, to the late Grant and Echo Russell. After graduating from Uniontown High School, Uniontown, KS, in 1952, Mr. Russell went to work for Winchell Manufacturing Co. in Ft. Scott, KS.  In 1964, Gravely Tractor Company purchased Winchell and relocated Gail to their plant in Albany, GA.

In 1970, he went to work with Kelly Manufacturing in Columbus, GA, which relocated its plant to Tifton in 1972.  In 1980, a new company, 1st Products was formed in Tifton and Gail served as Vice President until he retired in 2002.

He was a charter member and faithful servant at Bible Baptist Church. He and his wife Armine drove the church bus for 46 years. He enjoyed helping and doing for others and spending time with his family.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Armine Russell; his children: Richard (Angela) Russell of Conway, AR, Beverly Bradford, Cherie (Carey) McClelland, Gayla (Bill) Roulo all of Ocilla, Kim (Ray) Beasley of Omega, Lee (Velvet) Verenakis of Ellijay and Johnny (Jessie) Russell of Flowery Branch. Grandchildren: Grant and Abby Russell of Flowery Branch, Rusty (Sandi) Thomas and Russell Luke Bradford both of Ocilla, Laura (Josh) Adams of East Atlanta, Rachael (Joey) Mix of Nashville, TN, Michael (Amy) Verenakis and Thomas  Verenakis Jr. of Nashville; Scott (Kristin) Beasley and Tyler Beasley of Omega; four great-grandchildren,  Gage and Kolton Thomas of Ocilla, BeBe Beasley of Omega and Lindsay Marie Verenakis of Nashville, GA.  Brothers: Bob (Carol) Russell and Jerry (Beverly) Russell of Ft. Scott, KS; sister Shirley (Larry) Thompson of Wichita, KS.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests considering a donation to Bible Baptist Church, 1220 Moore Hwy., P.O. Box 472, Tifton, GA 31794; Lifeword Ministries,
P.O. Box 6, Conway, AR 72033; H.E.L.P. Ministries, P.O. Box 1489, Pilot Mountain, NC 27041.

Albritton Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.  You may sign the online guest register at www.albrittonfuneral.com