Julius Boyd "J.B." Russell

Julius Boyd “J.B.” Russell, age 90, resident of Columbus, passed away peacefully at Spring Harbor and under the care of Columbus Hospice at 12:30 a.m. Veteran’s Day 2011, November 11, 2011. Funeral services are scheduled at the Chapel of Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Road, Columbus on Sunday, November 13, 2011, 2 p.m. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1-2 at the funeral home. Private interment will be at Parkhill Cemetery on Monday, November 14, 2011. Mr. Russell was born in Forsyth, GA on May 22, 1921. He was raised in Macon, GA before coming to Columbus in 1939. He attended Lanier High School in Macon and Turner-Smith Business College in Columbus. In Columbus, he worked at the S&S Cafeteria, the Sol Loeb Company and the Waverly Hotel. He retired as president of Gower Furniture and president of the Furniture Dealers of Columbus Association.

Mr. Russell served as a combat medic with the158 Regimental Combat Team during World War II in the Pacific Theater where he earned several medals. Combat medals include the Medical Badge, Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal, Two Bronze Sea Stars, and Philippine Liberation Medal with one Bronze Star, Purple Heart Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. Among others, he was recently honored at Spring Harbor by Columbus Hospice.

Mr. Russell attended East Highland United Methodist Church where he was Superintendant of the Youth Department and counselor for the M.Y.F. He was also a Steward.

In 1953, Mr. Russell was included in a small group which was instrumental in the establishment of Striplin Terrace United Methodist Church where he was a Charge Lay Leader and Speaker, taught Sunday school, was Sunday School Superintendant, and Chairman of the Board of Stewards.

Mr. Russell was preceded in death by his wife; Leila Willis Russell who was from Taylor County, GA. J.B. and Leila were married 66 years before her death. She was the love of his life and the salt of the earth. When her husband was transported to California bound for the Philippines, Leila and her friend stowed away on their husbands’ troop train out of Fort McClellan, AL and rode all the way to Salinas, CA with little money and no idea how they would get home.

He is also preceded in death by his parents, Christopher Columbus Russell and LeNora Russell of Macon, GA, his identical twin brother John Douglas Russell "J.D." of Tampa, FL, James Russell of Jacksonville, FL. and Oscar D. Russell of Augusta, GA.

Mr. Russell is survived by his son Willis Boyd Russell and his wife, Elaine Purdie Russell of Cornelius, NC and by his daughter Vicki Russell Yoe and her husband Dr. William T. Yoe of Columbus GA.

He is also survived by grandchildren Kevin Boyd Russell and his wife, Lori Gantt Russell of Huntersville, NC, Beverly Russell Alwine and her husband Robert Wesley Alwine of Raleigh, NC, Jennifer LeAn Yoe and Russell Morris Yoe, both of Columbus. He leaves behind great grandchildren Ryan Boyd Russell and Matthew Gantt Russell of Huntersville, NC. He also leaves behind numerous beloved nieces and nephews. Flowers will be accepted or contributions can be made to Striplin Terrace United Methodist, 4170 Striplin Terrace Dr., Columbus, GA 31909. Condolences may be offered at www.shcolumbus.com.