Bro. Harold L. Russell, 88, of Jonesboro, Ark., passed away peacefully on Aug. 12, 2026. He was born April 14, 1938, in Smithville, Ark., and attended Lynn Public Schools.
Bro. Russell was preceded in death by his parents, Willie and Grace Russell; five siblings, Mary Slusser, Marsha Thomas, Glen Russell, J.C. Russell and Tom Russell; and his granddaughter, Maranda Kay Russell.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 68 years, Viola Russell; two children, Sandra Alstadt (Tod) of Little Rock and Randy Russell (Minnie) of Jonesboro; two grandchildren, including Zachary Alstadt and Erica Brown (Kelly); three great-grandchildren, Reid Brown (Autumn), Shelby Brown and Mason Brown; great-great granddaughter, Raelynn Brown; one brother, Wes Russell; and many nieces and nephews.
During more than 40 years of ministry, Bro. Russell pastored six churches: Clear Springs Baptist Church, First Baptist Church of Black Rock, New Antioch, New Hope, White Oak and Strawfloor. He also served as a volunteer chaplain at St. Bernards Medical Center and NEA Memorial Hospital.
What does a man who ministered for more than 40 years do after retirement? This man found another mission field in some unlikely places. He spent hours walking the aisles of Kroger, Walmart, Lowe’s and Home Depot, as well as visiting McDonald’s, where he greeted customers and employees, lent a hand wherever he could and told them, “Jesus loves you, and I do, too.” Sometimes, these encounters led to longer conversations about the gospel. He called this his Matthew 5:16 Ministry.
On Saturdays, he could often be found rummaging through yard sales or exploring his storage shed, where he kept many of his “great bargains.”
A celebration of Bro. Russell’s life will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026, at Smithville Baptist Church, 62 Truman Street. Visitation will be held before the service from 1 to 3 p.m. The Rev. Stan Ballard and the Rev. Keith Marlin will officiate. Interment will follow in the Smithville Cemetery under the direction of Cox Funeral Home in Walnut Ridge.
Honored to serve as pallbearers are Joe Clements, David Clements, Reid Brown, Mason Brown, Travis Kimberling, and Adam Peck.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Smithville Baptist Church Building Fund.