Robert Ellis Rustin

Robert Ellis Rustin, 70, of Phenix City, Al, passed away on November 19, 2025. A funeral service will be held at Vance Brooks Funeral Home, 3738 Hwy 431 N., Phenix City, AL 36867, on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at 11:00 am EST, officiated by Rev. Ralph Henderson, followed by a committal service at Lakeview Memory Gardens.

Robert Rustin was born on January 24, 1955, to the late Nathan Edward Rustin, Sr., and Gaynelle Sellers Rustin, on Ft. Benning, GA. After graduating high school, Robert began working for Civil Service. He worked as a Maintenance Supervisor on Ft. Benning for thirty years before transferring to New Orleans for two years and finally retiring after his time at Tuskegee National Park Service. Robert was a hard worker and great friend. He was known for making up nicknames for people if they didn’t already have one and associating a silly song with them. Robert had a wonderful sense of humor and was a genuinely caring person. If he knew someone needed something, he would get it for them when he came across it. He was very thoughtful, and to know him was to love him. In his free time, he enjoyed piddling and tinkering, especially in the garden and on his old blue Ford tractor. He was family oriented and spent as much time as he could with his wife, daughters, and grandchildren. He worked on cars with his son-in-law for fun and could fix just about anything. Robert was very involved with the people he loved and was always sure to bring the snacks. He was an Alabama fan and an overall fan of life. Robert lived in the moment and kept each day full of laughter. Robert will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved him.

Other than his parents, Robert Rustin is preceded in death by his brothers, Nathan, Wayne, and John Rustin; and grandchildren, Chloe Gardner, David Ellis Sugimoto, and Tabitha Sugimoto.

Robert is survived by his beloved wife, Kathy Rustin; daughters, Marina McCants (Michael), Sharon Sugimoto, Carole Vance (Jamie), Brandy Denson (Rodney), and Lindsay Long (Tom Green); grandchildren, Abigail Jimenez (Daniel), Luke Gardner , Levi & Morgan Denson, Ivy Grace Long, Cora & Aspynn McCants, and Klayton Parnell; four great grandsons; niece, Kim Jackson (Keith); nephew, Ty Rustin; sister-in-law, Helen Rustin; special friends, Ralph Henderson, Lynn Shelley, and Wayne Scarborough; as well as numerous extended family members and friends.