Charles E. Russell

Charles Earl Russell passed away peacefully at the age of seventy-nine on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 12:45 p.m. in Powder Springs, Georgia, while surrounded by the love of his daughters, grandchildren, and son-in-law.

Born on March 28, 1947, to Clyde and Averee Russell in Waco, Texas, Charles moved with his family to Atlanta, Georgia, at the age of six. He attended Slader Elementary School and Henry McNeal Turner H.S. After graduating, he found employment at Yohanna's Restaurant, which was a prominent upscale open-air dining destination, Lenox Square in Atlanta. Here he found his passion for cooking, became Head Chef, and met his first wife, Ernestine Tuggle. In 1969, they married and had two children, Laveda Ann Russell and Keeva Salathia Russell.

Dedicated to supporting his family, Charles resigned from Yohanna's and accepted a more lucrative position at OFS (formerly Western Electric, Lucent Technologies, and AT&T), beginning his ~20+ year career in telecommunications. His union with Ernestine dissolved, and years later he met Cassandra Mathis, welcoming the birth of his namesake, Charles Earl Russell Jr. Lastly and while employed at OFS, he met and married Gwendolyn Walker.

A quiet and simple family man, Charles loved soul food, fishing, hosting family gatherings, fine cars, clothes, playing Bid Whist, and was famously known for his Brunswick stew. After retiring from OFS, Charles turned his passion for lawn care into a successful endeavor, servicing many in his community.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Averee Russell; his sister, Barbara Jean Russell; and his wife, Gwendolyn Walker-Russell and is survived by his children, Laveda Ann Russell (William "Rico" Rodriguez), Keeva Salathia Russell, and Charles Earl Russell Jr.; stepchildren, Latrese Walker Myles and Nadrick Walker (Jerquias); grandchildren, Brandon Tyler Thomas and Jared Chandler Russell; and step-grandchildren, James Myles II, Jordan Myles, Sydney Kelley, Kellie Walker, and Tegan Walker.

Charles leaves behind his siblings, Malene Evans, Ronnie Clyde Russell (Jean), Larry Brown Sr. (Deborah), JoAnn Lansdown, Phyllis Regenia Ward (Harold), and Veronica Diana Cantrell (Irving); nieces, Sheryl Ann Lang, Sonia R. Jenkins, Latonya Curtis, Joseph Taylor, and Lashawn D. Brown; nephew, Larry Brown Jr.; and a host of additional family and friends.

At Charles' final request, the family will host a Celebration of Life Barbecue, where family and friends can fellowship to honor his life with food, music, memories, and laughter - celebrating his life rather than mourning their loss. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you plant a tree or scatter grass seeds in memory of their beloved one, Charles.