Rev. Larry H. Russell, 66, of Brookhaven, entered into his eternal home of Heaven, April 29, 2025, at St. Dominics Hospital in Jackson following complications related to a heart catheterization.  He was born May 9, 1958, to the late Hubert and Monell Smith Russell of Brookhaven, Mississippi. Larry grew up in the East Lincoln Community, son of a dairy farmer. He was active in his home church, Pleasant Grove Church where he made the most important decision of his life, to accept Jesus Christ as his personal savior when he was seventeen years old.  As a teenager, he was involved in 4-H club where he showed numerous grand champion Holsteins and was on the dairy judging team.  It was on a summer 4-H State Congress trip to Mississippi State that he met Belinda who would later become his bride on December 20, 1980.

He graduated from Southwest Christian Academy, Ruth, Mississippi in 1976 and graduated from Copiah-Lincoln Community College in 1978 followed by attending Mississippi State University where he completed his Bachelor of Business Administration in 1988. Larry began his professional career in retail management for the Baddour Company locally known as Fred's Discount in Jackson, Mississippi.  After the restructuring of the company, he became the Manager for Radio Shack where he excelled in computer technology which eventually led him to teaching Computer Science and Bible at University Christian School, now known as Hartfield Academy, Flowood, Mississippi. Prior to this, he felt the ministerial calling upon his life and surrendered to the call and was licensed into the ministry June 1992 by Trinity Baptist Church, Pearl, Mississippi.  He began working with his two young sons in the Boy Scouts of America as a Cub Leader and later as Scout Master. Feeling he needed to do more work for the Lord, he established a campground outing, Lazy Creek Ministries, where he combined the scouting adventure of primitive camping and introducing the gospel of Jesus Christ to hundreds of young boys.  He later was ordained into the ministry, December 2000 by Grace Baptist Church, Brandon, Mississippi where he was Associate Pastor.  His faithful service continued by serving as Associate Pastor to College Students at Park Place Baptist Church, Pearl, Mississippi; Pastor at Union Baptist Church, Brandon, Mississippi for more than twelve years; Montgomery Baptist Church, Summit, Mississippi and presently Pastor of Mission Hill Baptist Church, Wesson, Mississippi for the past five years.

Larry also found a unique way to share his testimony and faith in Jesus Christ by being a professional, licensed Santa.  He was a member of the International Real Bearded Santas and enjoyed sharing the Christmas story and joy of Christ to others. In particular, his opportunity to bring holiday cheer to the special patients of Blair Batson Children's Hospital as well as local nursing homes, businesses, churches, retail malls and other events.

Larry is preceded in death by his parents and one daughter-in-law, Beth Wallace Russell.  He is survived by his wife, Belinda Williams Russell; sons, Jason Larry Russell (Liz) of Franklinton, LA; Stephen Williams Russell of Northport, AL; brother, Keith Anthony Russell (Amanda) of Brookhaven, MS; grandchildren, Hallie Garner (13), Peyton Russell (10), Holly Russell (4) of Franklinton, LA; Zachary Russell (9) and Lilah Russell (6) of Northport, AL; brother-in-law, Dr. Byron Williams (Kathy) of Brandon, MS; niece, Alice Anne Lee (Jeb) and children Julie Anne and Sadie of Mendenhall, MS; nephew, Jonathan Williams and son, Bowen of Brandon, MS and numerous Aunts, Uncles and cousins.

Pallbearers will be Stephen Russell, Hugh Mathis, Greg Boyte, Lane Young, Chad Miley, Jonathan Miley, Jonathan Williams and Howard Stogner.  Honorary Pallbearers will be Jason Russell, Keith Russell, Byron Williams, Jeb Lee, Peyton Russell, Zachary Russell and Bowen Williams.

The family requests that if you have a special memory, or a short story about Bro. Larry and how he influenced your life, that you email your memories to bw_russell60@yahoo.com