George William Russell

George William Russell, 71, of Myrtle Beach, S.C., passed away Wednesday, March 4, 2009, at Conway Medical Center in Conway, S.C. Mr. Russell was born March 8, 1937, in Philadelphia, Pa., a son of the late Edison and Dorothy Oschman Russell. He was predeceased by a stepson, Gary Gabrielson. Prior to his retirement, Mr. Russell was employed for 40 years with Norfolk Southern Railroad as an Internal Auditor. He was a member of Villa Heights Baptist Church in Roanoke, Va., and also a member of the Moose Lodge. A few years following his retirement, Mr. Russell and his wife, Patty, relocated to Myrtle Beach, S.C. Mr. Russell was a Washington Redskins fan, an avid golfer, and enjoyed reading newspapers from different areas of the country. He lived life to the fullest and never met a stranger. Mr. Russell loved his wife, Patty and even in his years of sickness always had a positive outlook on his life. Survivors include his wife, Patty Milligan Russell; his son, Edison Russell, of Omaha, Neb.: his two daughters, Julia Briggs, of St. Louis, Mo., and Lorraine Russell, also of St. Louis, Mo.; his two stepsons, Scott Gabrielson, of Rocky Mount, Va., and Bruce Gabrieison, of Vinton, Va.; his sister, Sonia Morris, of Roanoke, Va.; nine grandchildren; and two greatgrandchildren. The family will receive friends from 3 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 8, 2009, at Oakey's Funeral Home, Vinton Chapel. A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. on Monday, March 9, 2009, at Oakey's Funeral Home, Vinton Chapel with the Rev. Scott Gabrielson officiating. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105. Arrangements by Oakey's Vinton Chapel, 540-982-2221.