age 81, of Bessemer, AL, went to be with the Lord on August 23, 2007. He was preceded in death by his wife Peggy Nix Russell; parents, Thomas Spurgeon & Evie Davis Russell; brothers, Harris & James; sisters Virginia Lashley & Verna Truelove. He is survived by two sisters, Ora Biggs (Ray) & Bettye Littleton; children, John Jr. (Marianne), Thomas (Chrysta), and Teri Abbott (Roger); seven grandchildren, Tray, Shay, Wade, Lauren, Evan, Mark & Misty; neices & nephews, extended loving family and countless friends. He was a Navy Veteran of World War II. He was a member of Wilkes Baptist Church where he had served as Sunday School Director & was an ordained deacon. He was a member of Fairfield Lodge 749 of the Free Masons. Family will receive friends at Valhalla Funeral Home, Saturday, August 25, 2007 from 1:00 until 2:00. Funeral service will be Saturday, August 25, 2007 at 2:00 PM in the funeral home chapel with burial in Valhalla Cemetery.