James Otis Russell Jr. died Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, at Vicksburg Convalescent Home. He was 86.

A native of Darlove, he had been a resident of Vicksburg for most of his adult life. He a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in the Korean War and receiving a Bronze Star. He was a member of Iron Worker’s Local 469 and traveled throughout the country for work. He was a jokester and never met a stranger. He was of the Baptist faith. 

Mr. Russell was preceded in death by his parents, James Otis Russell Sr. and Addie Frank Russell; a brother, Wiley Roby Russell; a sister, Wanda Joy Russell Pitcher; and two nieces, Stephanie Russell Mothershed and Kimberly Michele Leese.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Ellen Genelle Russell; three daughters, Caffie Russell Ellis (Mitch), Nancy Russell Johnson (Brad) and Karen Russell Brown (Randy); seven grandchildren, James Ellis, Mandie Fraser, Sidney Johnson, Jessica Wren, Hannah Hubert Brown, Hannah E. Brown and Amanda Yates; and 15 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Fisher-Riles Funeral Home, 5000 Indiana Ave., in Vicksburg.

Services will be Thursday at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Fletcher’s Chapel Cemetery in Yazoo City. 

Pallbearers will be Sidney Johnson, Tristan Johnson, Zachary Johnson, Jamie Ellis, Martin Pace and Richard Brown.

Honorary pallbearers will be Mitch Ellis, Brad Johnson, Randy Brown, Asa Wren, and Compassionate Touch Homecare.

The family would like to thank his caretakers with Kindred Hospice, Amedysis, St. Joseph Hospice and Vicksburg Convalescent Home. Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project support.woundewarriorproject.org.