Lee Higginbotham Russell Sr's Obituary
On June 3, 2021, beloved Husband, Father, Father-In-Law, Grandfather and Friend passed away quietly in his home with his wife, Rhonda, of 49 years by his side at the age of 71.
Lee was born in Dallas, Texas on August 20, 1949. He attended Lakewood Elementary, J.L. Long Jr. High and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1967. After following God’s lead into the ministry, Lee attended Howard Payne University for a B.S. degree, East Texas State University for an M.S. degree, Southwestern Seminary, then graduated from Perkins School of Theology at SMU with his Master in Theology. There, he became a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. Upon graduation and becoming an ordained minister, he worked in the area of marriage and family counseling and performed many weddings for family and friends throughout the years. He also taught Sunday School for many years at Wilshire Baptist Church where he was a longtime member. In 1978, he started some part-time work in the area of litigation support. This direction led him into a field that he loved until his death. Lee had served in this area over the years and had served in the position of President twice for the Texas Process Servers Association where he received their Lifetime Achievement Award in September, 2019. He also served on the National Association of Professional Process Servers as Secretary and Second Vice-President. Until his last day, he owned and ran Civil Process Services in Dallas. He was well respected among his peers and served as a mentor for many.
In Lee’s leisure time, he was an avid bass fisherman at his Ferndale Fishing Club in East Texas. His greatest joy was catching the big bass. He made sure everyone in his family had a fishing pole, including his precious little granddaughter, Izzy, who was his greatest joy in life. Her “Popeye” was her best friend.
Lee is survived by his wife of 49 years, Rhonda and his children. Lee Higginbotham Russell, Jr. and his wife, Andrea, of Rowlett, Lindsay Russell Marchiori and her husband, Davys, and daughter, Isabella of Richardson, his brother, Dr. Lewis Franklin Russell, Jr. and wife, Jan of San Antonio, his sister, Carol Bates and husband, Dwight of Athens, and sister, Kathy Bradshaw and husband Mark of Ft. Worth and numerous nieces and nephews. His father and mother, Judge Lewis Franklin Russell, Sr. and Katharine Higginbotham Russell, preceded him in death.
A Celebration of Life Memorial service will be held on Tuesday, 8th at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church Richardson, 1001 N. Central Expressway, Richardson, Tx. 75080. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church Richardson and Carry the Load Dallas in honor of Lee’s children who served and are serving now in the military.
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