Donald Evans Russell

Don was born on June 14, 1948, in Princeton, KY to the late Charles T. “Pete” Russell and Laverne Parent Russell. He graduated from Caldwell County High School in 1966, and from Murray State University in 1970 with a degree in Business Administration. In 1972, he married the former Peggy Rafferty who survives of the home.

Don began his business career in sales with Xerox and then with Baxter Travenol. Later, he began working as a consultant and project manager with Andersen Consulting, Accenture, IBM, and finally FedEx, before retiring in 2018.

After retiring, Don became interested in gardening, reading biographies of the great American presidents, and continuing to teach himself to play the guitar, practicing some almost everyday. His greatest joy, though, was in spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Don grew up in the Baptist church which he loved and which gave him his solid Christian foundation. After many years of attending Mass with his wife and children, he converted to Catholicism and became a devoted Catholic. He was a member of St. Theresa the Little Flower Catholic Church and also St. Louis Catholic Church, both in Memphis. Two days before his death, he received the Last Rites of the Church surrounded by his loved ones.

Along with his wife Peggy, Don is survived by his sons Drew Russell (Jennifer) of Memphis, Jesse Russell (Charlsey) of Hendersonville, NC, his daughter Bridget Heuerman (Cole) of Memphis, his grandchildren Chloe Russell of Brooklyn, NY, Camryn, Maya, and Evan Russell of Hendersonville, NC, and Luke Heuerman of Memphis, brother-in-law Michael Rafferty of Memphis, sisters-in-law Cheryl Dailor of Little Rock, AR, and Nancy Bailey (Randy) of Rockford, IL, Cindy Russell of Princeton, KY, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins whom he loved.

Along with his parents, Don was preceded in death by his younger brother Craig Truitt Russell who died in 1990 following a motorcycle accident. Don will be deeply missed by all those who loved him dearly.

A memorial service was held on Sunday, September 3, 2023, at Memphis Funeral Home.

Don was always an extremely generous person, and, so, it was fitting that after his death, he was able to be an organ donor.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemphisFuneralPoplar.com for the Russell family.