Deacon
Deacon "Hommey" Russell
d. November 26, 2021
On Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021, at St. Joseph\'s Hospital, God sent his angels to summon his good and faithful servant, Deacon Bernard 'Hommey' Russell, 72, of Savannah, Georgia and husband of Gwendolyn 'Gwen' Howard Russell, home from labor to his heavenly reward. With his eyes fixed on Jesus, he took his wings and went to be with his heavenly Father. Well done, my good and faithful servant, well done!
On June 29, 1949, Bernard Russell, was born to Willie Reed Jr, and Helen Bowen. He attended the schools of Chatham County and was a 1967 graduate of S.Tompkins High School. He attended Savannah State College which is now a university. Following college, Bernard joined the United States Army. He was a Mason of Omar 21 for many years, inducted into the Woodville-Tompkins High School Hall of Entertainment Association, Inc. on March 4, 2016, and also a member of S. Tompkins High School Class of 1967. He participated in The Brotherhood of Retired Railroad Workers.
Deacon Bernard met and married Gwen, the love of his life, in December 1989. They were united in holy matrimony; it was so pleasant they remarried again in 2019. He was a very kindhearted man who loved his family and his family loved him dearly.
Deacon Bernard, also known as Deacon Russell was a faithful member of Clifton Baptist Church for 60 plus years.
He was employed by the CSX Transportation Railroad as a conductor. Bernard was promoted February 18, 1993 when he furthered his education in Cumberland, Maryland to become a Locomotive Engineer, for 38 plus years. He was a dedicated and hard worker and, because of his valued experience, served as a mentor to many new employees over the years. He retired from CSX Transportation Railroad in 2009. After retiring from CSX Transportation Railroad he went on to join the team at Savannah Tire and Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport at Avis Budget Rental. Last but certainly not the least he joined the team at SCCPSS Transportation and enjoyed every minute of it.
He was preceded in death by his father, Deacon Willie Reed Jr.; his mother, Helen Russell Bowen; and his brothers, Willie L. Reed III and Walter D. Reed, Sr.
Bernard leaves to cherish his legacy, his devoted and loving wife Gwen Howard Russell; two sons, Terry (Maria) Bowens and Nyrarere (Sha\'Ree) Russell; one daughter, Tressar (David) Benjamin; eight grandchildren, Tre\'saun Perry, Tiaunna Benjamin, David \"D.J\' Benjamin, Jasmine Bowens, Terrell Bowens, Nyrarere Jaquan Russell, ViJay D\'Ann Bryant, Jay\'Vion Bernard Russell; three great-grandchildren; four sisters, Sandra (Lamar) Hamilton, Jacquelyn (Rufus) Reed-Bush, Vanessa Russell and Connie (James) Salisbury, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 o'clock Friday, December 3, 2021, at Gamble Funeral Service ' 410 Stephenson Avenue.
The funeral service, with full military honors, will be held at 1 o'clock, Saturday afternoon, December 4, 2021, in the Greenwich section of Bonaventure Cemetery.
On June 29, 1949, Bernard Russell, was born to Willie Reed Jr, and Helen Bowen. He attended the schools of Chatham County and was a 1967 graduate of S.Tompkins High School. He attended Savannah State College which is now a university. Following college, Bernard joined the United States Army. He was a Mason of Omar 21 for many years, inducted into the Woodville-Tompkins High School Hall of Entertainment Association, Inc. on March 4, 2016, and also a member of S. Tompkins High School Class of 1967. He participated in The Brotherhood of Retired Railroad Workers.
Deacon Bernard met and married Gwen, the love of his life, in December 1989. They were united in holy matrimony; it was so pleasant they remarried again in 2019. He was a very kindhearted man who loved his family and his family loved him dearly.
Deacon Bernard, also known as Deacon Russell was a faithful member of Clifton Baptist Church for 60 plus years.
He was employed by the CSX Transportation Railroad as a conductor. Bernard was promoted February 18, 1993 when he furthered his education in Cumberland, Maryland to become a Locomotive Engineer, for 38 plus years. He was a dedicated and hard worker and, because of his valued experience, served as a mentor to many new employees over the years. He retired from CSX Transportation Railroad in 2009. After retiring from CSX Transportation Railroad he went on to join the team at Savannah Tire and Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport at Avis Budget Rental. Last but certainly not the least he joined the team at SCCPSS Transportation and enjoyed every minute of it.
He was preceded in death by his father, Deacon Willie Reed Jr.; his mother, Helen Russell Bowen; and his brothers, Willie L. Reed III and Walter D. Reed, Sr.
Bernard leaves to cherish his legacy, his devoted and loving wife Gwen Howard Russell; two sons, Terry (Maria) Bowens and Nyrarere (Sha\'Ree) Russell; one daughter, Tressar (David) Benjamin; eight grandchildren, Tre\'saun Perry, Tiaunna Benjamin, David \"D.J\' Benjamin, Jasmine Bowens, Terrell Bowens, Nyrarere Jaquan Russell, ViJay D\'Ann Bryant, Jay\'Vion Bernard Russell; three great-grandchildren; four sisters, Sandra (Lamar) Hamilton, Jacquelyn (Rufus) Reed-Bush, Vanessa Russell and Connie (James) Salisbury, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 o'clock Friday, December 3, 2021, at Gamble Funeral Service ' 410 Stephenson Avenue.
The funeral service, with full military honors, will be held at 1 o'clock, Saturday afternoon, December 4, 2021, in the Greenwich section of Bonaventure Cemetery.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Deacon "Hommey" Russell, please visit our flower store.
Photo Gallery
Guestbook
Visits: 1
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors