"GROWING AND STILL DEDICATED TO SERVING
YOU BETTER"
The doors of THE RUSSELL FUNERAL HOME first
swung open in October 1939. In the modest building at 721 East
Seventh Street with minimal equipment purchased from a funeral home
director in Falls Church, Virginia who had just gone out of
business. The fledgling business humbly began and operated from the
Seventh Street site until 1962 when it was relocated at the corner of
Ninth Street and Ridge Avenue. There, it operated out of the
Christian Building, which also housed the Click Grocery, until 1964 when
the RUSSELL FUNERAL HOME was built at that same location. Though the
physical structures and landscapes have been altered over the years,
RUSSELL FUNERAL HOME has continuously operated from this base over the
last thirty-five years.
The current renovated facility stands is
sharp contrast to the buildings that predate it. Dedicated on
October 10, 1993, the refurbished RUSSELL FUNERAL HOME is a modern three
story structure which provides the necessary features to render efficient
yet sympathetic service, a trademark by which RUSSELL is known. The
current facility, though at primarily the same location, has had an
address change. Ninth Street is now Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive
and Ridge Avenue is now Carl Russell Avenue.
The Tennessee Crab Orchard stone and brick
exterior leads to an entrance foyer which features a terrazzo
floor, water fountain and stone botanical flower garden, particular point
of pride for Mrs. Florrie S. Russell, who guided the building's renovation
phase. The Mary Rose Russell Chapel (located North of the foyer) and
the Carl H. Russell, Sr. Chapel to the south provide the boundaries for
the reception area, two offices, area of repose, and handicapped
accessible restrooms which are located on the first level.
Amenities provided on the upper level
include a kitchen, office, storage facilities, and living quarters
designed to enhance the FAMILY atmosphere which has also been RUSSELL
trademark - a Family serving Families.
In the words of the founder, Russell
Funeral Home is a family business dedicated to serving other families in
their time of sorrow.
Carl H. Russell, Sr.
was a native of Davie County. He was educated in the Winston-Salem
public schools. He graduated from Johnson C. Smith with honors
before attending the University of Minnesota School of Embalming.
Carl Russell, Sr., served as Alderman, and Mayor Pro-tem of the city of
Winston-Salem. He was a member of many organization, including Omega
Psi Phi Fraternity, Mason, and Shriners. He had a notable record of
public service and was the recipient of countless awards and
citations. The defining legacy of the founder and CEO of the Russell
Funeral Home was the manner in which he prepared his family to continue
the tradition of service in his absence.
Mrs. Florrie Sitgraves Russell,
wife and partner of Carl Russell, Sr., for 49 years, assumed the
leadership role of Russell in 1987 after the passing of her husband.
She was born in Rock Hill, South
Carolina. She graduated from Winston-Salem Teachers College.
In addition to teaching, she was a licensed funeral director, who as CEO
guided the renovation of the current facility. Prior to her passing
on June 7, 1997 she ran the day-to-day operations of Russell.
The staff at Russell Funeral Home is
committed to continuing the awesome legacy given to us by our parents.
