Charles "C.L." Russell

Obituary for Charles Leon, “C.L.” Russell Jr. Charles Leon “C.L.” Russell, 76, of Magnolia, Texas, passed away Feb. 10, 2007. Russell was a former Roswell resident. C. L. was born Jan. 28, 1931 in Soper, OK to Hester (Stephens) and Charles Russell. He started living on his own at 12 years of age. His first job was working on a farm and living in a bunkhouse. At his next job, he worked at the Rainbow Bakery in Tulsa, OK and lived over the bakery. He joined the army at 14 years of age and served a short time until his real age was discovered. In 1947, he began carpentry work with his brother, Andrew Talley here in Roswell. He later worked in construction and became a homebuilder primarily in New Mexico and Texas. Because of his independence at a young age, he was a self-made man. He never took a hand out and believed in making his own way. C. L. met and married his wife, Violet (Scates) Russell at a young age in Carlsbad on Sept. 20, 1947. They were married 59 years, 4 months, and 5 days. He raised his own carpenter crew with 6 sons and 2 daughters. C. L. is survived by his wife, Violet Russell, of Magnolia, TX; children, Cletus Russell and his wife, Margaret, of Cody, WY, Ronnie Russell and his wife, Susie, of Roswell, Charles Russell of Roswell, Earnie Russell and his wife, Karen, of Magnolia, TX, Tony Russell and his wife, Brenda, of New Waverly, Texas; and Cindy Russell and her partner, Peg, of Rochester, NY. Other survivors in include 16 grandchildren; thirty great-grandchildren; two sisters, Dorothy Hallmark of Fort Worth, TX, and Pauline Standridge of Midwest City, OK; a brother, Bill Lowther of Midwest City, OK; and numerous nieces and nephews. C.L. was preceded in death by twins, a daughter, Dorothy Russell in 1954, and a son, Danny Russell in 1994; a brother, Andrew Talley of Roswell; and a sister, Sylvia Harbuck of Roswell. He was saved in 1954 and rededicated his life to the Lord in 2002. He loved attending his church, Wildwood Baptist Church in Magnolia, TX. He loved singing the old gospel sons, Amazing Grace and How Great Thou Art. His earlier hobbies in life were hunting and fishing. After retirement, his greatest joy was hand-feeding the deer on his acreage in Magnolia, TX. Friends and family are invited to help celebrate his life in a memorial service at 10:30 am Friday, Feb. 16, 2007, at Anderson-Bethany Funeral Home. Ron MacArthur of Bethel Christian Center, Choctaw, OK, will officiate with the eulogy will be given by his brother, Bill Lowther of Midwest City, OK. Burial will follow at South Park Cemetery. Pallbearers will be his grandchildren. Viewing will be from 6-9 pm Thursday at the funeral home. To sign the register book online go to www.andersonbethany.com Services are under the direction of Anderson-Bethany Funeral Home and Crematory.

Charles "C.L." Russell

January 28, 1931 - February 10, 2007