Mr. George Larry Russell

George Larry Russell, age 62, of McCalla died on January 13, 2013, following a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born on June 29, 1950, in Birmingham, Alabama, to Betty Swindle Russell and George Wesley Russell. He was a man who loved God, his family and his friends. He will be remembered for his strong faith and courage as he faced a serious medical challenge, his devotion to his family, and his love of people. Larry was preceded in death by his father. He is survived by his mother, Betty Russell; his wife of 38 years, Patricia Pearson Russell; his son, William Wesley Russell and his wife Susanne Sublette Russell of Birmingham; his son, Christopher Todd Russell and his wife Kari Magers Russell of Franklin, Tennessee; his grandchildren, William Jackson Russell, Adam Wesley Russell and Anne Elizabeth Russell of Birmingham and Hudson Todd Russell, Caroline Grace Russell, and Eden Karis Russell of Franklin, Tennessee; his brother Samuel Russell and his wife Dawn of McCalla; his nieces Robin Davis and Kelli Harless of McCalla, and Holly Goff and her husband Josh of Hoover; his nephew Matt Hughey and his wife Kristie of Centreville; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, George and Barbara Hughey of Brent. Larry was a long-time, active member of Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, serving faithfully in numerous capacities through the years, including Chairman of the Administrative Board and most recently Lay Leader. He sang in the Chancel Choir for many years. Larry attended McAdory High School in McCalla and graduated in the class of 1968. He attended the University of Alabama, graduating in 1972 with a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and in 1973 with a Master's Degree in Accounting. He also was a proud member of the Million Dollar Band. He was a certified public accountant. Following graduation, he was employed in the field of accounting and in 1981 he established the firm, Larry Russell, CPA, in Bessemer. In 2006, his son, Wes, joined the firm as a partner in Russell & Company, LLC. He truly enjoyed his career in public accounting and was honored to serve his clients for over 30 years. He was always very involved in the activities of his sons including serving as Cub Scout Leader and Boy Scout Leader. Larry also supported the McAdory Athletic Booster Club and served for two years as president. In the community, Larry was a member of the Bessemer Rotary Club and served as president in 2005. He was honored to be named a Paul Harris Fellow in 2006. He served on the Board of Directors of First Financial Bank. He also previously served on the Boards of the Bessemer YMCA and the Bessemer Chamber of Commerce. He was one of the founding members of the original Bessemer State Technical College Foundation Board. Visitation will be on Wednesday, January 16, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, 4809 Bell Hill Road in Bessemer. The funeral will be held on Thursday, January 17, at 11 a.m. at Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church in Bessemer with the Reverends Alan Head and Monica Harbarger officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Josh Goff, Matt Hughey, Barry Pearson, Dale Pearson, Ronnie Pearson, and Brad Smith. The family wishes to thank Dr. Jason Gamble for his excellent care of our beloved Larry for over five years. We also thank Mrs. Leslie Bush and her dedicated and compassionate team of nurses in the Medical West Intensive Care Unit. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church Building Fund, 4809 Bell Hill Road, Bessemer, Alabama 35022, or to the Caring for Carcinoid Foundation, 198 Tremont Street, Box 456, Boston, Massachusetts 02116. McCalla Memorial Funeral Home will be directing.

Mr. George Larry Russell

June 29, 1950 - January 13, 2013