Roll Call Tribute

Charles Ray "Russ" Russell 

July 24, 1939 - September 13, 2024 

Funeral services for Charles Ray “Russ” Russell, 85, of Lufkin will be held Thursday, September 19, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor David Goodwin officiating. Interment will follow in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park.

Charles Ray “Russ” Russell, also lovingly known as PaPa Russ, peacefully returned to his Heavenly home on September 13, 2024 surrounded by his family.

Charles Ray Russell was born on July 24, 1939 in his grandparents’ home in Shelby County. He grew up in Lufkin, Texas and attended Lufkin schools through his graduation in 1957. He was a proud member of Waymon Bullock’s band and later served for many years in Band Boosters.

Charles Ray attended Texas A&M University, was in the Corps of Cadets, and was a lifelong loyal Aggie.

Russ worked as a pressman at Southwest Color Printing, later known as Sullivan Graphics and Vertis Communications, for 40 plus years. In addition to his work, Russ attended First United Methodist Church Lufkin and was an usher for many years, along with being an active member of the Second Mile Fellowship class. He went on to later join First Methodist Church of Diboll. His was the first smiling face you would get to see as you arrived on Sunday morning and he lived to instill joy in all church members. Russ and Mamaw enjoyed weeknight dinners at Mr. Rays and Skyline Burritos where they got to spend time and socialize with their church family. He enjoyed serving as a shepherd at an Evening in Old Bethlehem and was an active helper in the MOPS program. If you were to ask him, his favorite role was being PaPa. He enjoyed being with his family, especially his grandchildren. He spent many nights spoiling his grandchildren with trips to CiCi’s Pizza and he loved taking them to see the animals at the Ellen Trout Zoo.

PaPa and Mamaw spent numerous hours at sporting events, school functions, award ceremonies, and any event that they could be supportive of their family. He loved a good cup of black coffee, a piece of pound cake, feeding his pet raccoons, and good conversation.

Russ' love transformed the lives of everyone he encountered. He never met a stranger and was genuinely kind to everyone. He had the ability to comfort you with a smile and make you feel special just by listening. He spread his kindness by always being a helping hand and being a servant for Jesus. His legacy of kindness and service to others will continue to impact those who knew him.

He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Suzanne Russell; sisters and brothers-in-law, Lynda and Bob Melton, Carlyn and Duncan Garner, Deborah and Alan Webb; brother-in-law, Joe Herring; children, Craig and Melissa Russell, Carl and Suzanne Russell, Cathy and Mark Kettering, Tammy Miller and Amy and Allen Rush; longtime friend and first wife, Mary Ann Russell; grandchildren, Robert Russell, Carson and Megan Russell, Wesley and Jo Linn Russell, Katie and Jacob Hopper, Abbie and Jake Stifle, Christopher and Ryan Russell, Jack and Skye Illingsworth, Christopher and Cora Rush, Preston and Ainsley Miller, Phillip and Sara Olegario, and Taryn Trapp; great-grandchildren, Hudson, Finley, and Rowan Russell, Keegan, Kennedy, and Kollins Hopper, Max and Addison Stifle, Paul Olegario, Emily and Oscar Hernandez; great-great-granddaughter, Sophia Hernandez; Godchildren, Jay, Aimee, and Erika Weber; many other children he provided childcare for over the years, Sydney and Sadie Felts, Seth Johnson, Erik McCoy, Brett, Chris, Austin, and Matt Thompson, Elizabeth Brown and Cameron Jackson; along with numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, a loving church family, and a multitude of friends.

PaPa was preceded in death by his parents, Desmon and Benna Dell Russell; sister-in-law, Rosie Herring; sister and brother-in-law, Dianne and Fred Hain; and great-granddaughter, Kallie Ryan Hopper.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the First Methodist Church of Diboll, 401 S. Hines Street, Diboll, Texas 75941, the Ellen Trout Zoo, 402 Zoo Circle, Lufkin, Texas 75904, or a school or charity of your choice.

Pallbearers will be Jacob Hopper, Jake Stifle, Carson Russell, Wesley Russell, Preston Miller, Ainsley Miller, Christopher Rush. Honorary pallbearers will be Keegan Hopper, the Tuesday Morning Men's Bible Study group at Believers Bible Church, and his lucky raccoons.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com. 

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.