John Russell, Jr., of Murfreesboro, TN, and formerly of Columbus, MS, went to be with His Lord and Savior on January 27, 2012. Private graveside services were held on Saturday, January 28, at 3:00 p.m. at Friendship Cemetery in Columbus. A public memorial service will be held on Sunday afternoon, January 29, at 3:00 p.m. at Main Street Presbyterian Church. Visitation with the family will follow the service. Gunter and Peel Funeral Home of Columbus is in charge of the arrangements. Dr. Russell, a longtime orthodontist in Columbus, was born on November 10, 1925, to John and Lydia Russell of Memphis, TN. He has two sisters: Helen Roberts, now deceased, and Betty Evans of Zeeland, Michigan. He enrolled at the University of Tennessee for his freshman year and then joined the U. S. Army infantry and served during World War II. He later joined the Dental Corps after graduating from the University of Tennessee Dental School. He later finished his postgraduate work in Orthodontics at the University of Tennessee. He was a member of the Mississippi Dental Association, American Dental Association, and the American Association of Orthodontics. John and his wife, Carolyn Russell of Corinth, were married in l951. They moved to Columbus where he opened an orthodontic clinic in l955, which he operated until l992. Their daughter, Lynda Langerfeld, married to David, preceded John in death. Their other children are Susan Aldridge (Gary) of Ridgeland, MS; John Russell III (Pat) of Columbus; and Merrill Shepard (Theo), of Murfreesboro. Dr. Russell has eight grandchildren: James and John Aldridge, of Ridgeland; John Mark, Will, Hannah, and Stephen Russell of Columbus; and Sam and David Shepard, of Murfreesboro. Dr. Russell was an active part of the Phillips Memorial YMCA in Columbus and served as Chairman of the Board for ten years. He was also a member of the Rotary Club and very involved with Bethany Christian Services. An elder emeritus, John loved and served Main Street Presbyterian Church faithfully until he and his wife moved to Murfreesboro in l999. He then joined Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville. He was an avid golfer and loved playing handball for many years. Dr. Russell most enjoyed spending time with his family and many friends.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Russell Jr., please visit our flower store.
