Rev. Larry J. Russell of Richmond, VA, formerly of Walnut Ridge, AR. passed away on April 5, 2024. He was born on Oct. 17, 1942 in Malvern, Arkansas to J.W. and Vela Rippee Russell.

He was a retired Free Will Baptist Minister, pastoring churches in Tennessee, Arkansas, Ohio, Louisiana and Virginia. He and his wife served as Arkansas Free Will Baptist State Missionaries to W. Helena AR, for 3 years, and National Home Missionaries for the Free Will Baptist denomination in Baton Rouge, LA for 12 years. He was the Founder of Shenandoah Christian Academy in Baton Rouge, LA. He was a licensed Realtor in the State of Louisiana. He served on the Free Will Baptist National Home Mission Board for 8 years. He helped start the Virginia Beach Free Will Baptist Day School. He was a certified Counselor with the American Association of Christian Counselors and ministered to many at Virginia Beach Free Will Baptist Church and Faith Free Will Baptist Church in Carrollton, VA. He was a graduate of Welch College (formerly Free Will Baptist Bible College) Class of '65 and a High School Graduate of Walnut Ridge High School, Class of '61. He played Jr. High and High School Varsity Football as a tackle, for Walnut Ridge High School and was a part of two State Championships.

Larry accepted the Lord as his Savior at Poplar Valley Free Will Baptist Church in the summer of '61 and was baptized by his father in the Cash River. He was a dedicated servant of Christ. He had a passion for ministering to young people and loved the Church Bus Ministry. In his early years in the ministry, he conducted services for many Church Camps and Vacation Bible Schools in Arkansas, Florida, Texas, and Missouri. He was known for being a ventriloquist and he and "Randy" spoke in many services. After he retired, his ministry was to encourage fellow pastors and brothers and sisters in the faith to keep them uplifted. He faithfully made a round of calls every day. He was a loving husband to Janis Johnson Russell for 56 years, and a proud father and grandfather. He was an avid sports fan, especially loving golf and football, and his heart bled purple and gold for the LSU Tigers.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Norma Jean Russell.

He is survived by his wife, Janis Johnson Russell, two children: Kimberly Russell Fender (Greg) and Jennifer Chanel Russell, and two grandchildren: Caleb Russell Fender and Chloe Noelle Fender all of Richmond, VA. He is also survived by many brothers and sisters in Christ.

Visitation will be on Friday, April 12, 2024 from 11 am to 1 pm at the First Free Will Baptist Church in Walnut Ridge. Funeral will follow at 1 pm and will be officiated by Pastor Tim Campbell. Interment will follow in Lawrence Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Cox Funeral Home in Walnut Ridge.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Caleb Fender, Greg Fender, Steve Elks, Gale Linebaugh, Bill McNutt, and Rev. Danny O'Neal.

Honorary Pallbearers are WRHS, FWBBC Alumnus, ordained ministers, and those who were part of the churches Pastor Russell ministered to.