Curley Russell Jr.

Curley Russell, Jr. was born on December 13, 1947 in Artesia, New Mexico to parents Curley Russell, Sr. and Mary Lee Russell. He gave his life to Christ at a young age at the Bethel Baptist Church in Artesia, New Mexico.

As the oldest of five children, Curley set an example for his siblings. After graduating from high school he was drafted into the US Armed Forces in 1968. He proudly fought in the Vietnam War under the 25th Infantry division in Ho Chi Minh. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1970.

He moved to sunny Los Angeles where he became a proud father of his first son, Courtney Russell in 1970. On June 23, 1973 Curley married the love of his life, Hazel Reed in Belzoni, MS. In 1974 they welcomed a son, Corey Russell in Los Angeles, California and in 1981 a beautiful daughter Brandi Russell (Wallace) in Greenwood, MS. Shortly thereafter, they made a home in Fort Worth, TX where Curley passionately worked for the US Postal Service for over 30 years. He retired in 2007.

His family never had a care when it came to something being broken or not working properly, because of his amazing knowledge and impeccable sense of ingenuity. As the designated, “life of the party”, he always demonstrated his love for life and his love for people, because he never ever met a stranger.

The Lord called Curley Russell Jr. to his heavenly home on August 6, 2018. He leaves to cherish his memory: his loving wife, Hazel Russell; sons, Courtney Russell and Corey Russell (Joy); daughter, Brandi Russell Wallace (Jeff); their grandchildren: Elijah, Isaiah, Xavier, Cynai, Carter, Reed, Grayson, Chloe, Noah and Marley; siblings, Rosemary Cheadle, and Ronald “Tweet” Russell (Anne) and a host of other loving relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents Curley Russell, Sr. and Mary Lee Russell; sister, Barbara Wendorf, and brother, Richard Russell.