Russell Dougherty Evett

Russell Dougherty Evett, 93, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on October 23, 2025. He was born in Norfolk, VA to the late Edward Hall Evett and Elizabeth Dougherty Evett. Russell was predeceased by his loving wife of 57 years, Gail Kirby Evett, a son, Stephen Hall Evett, and his twin sister, Margaret Evett Fitch.
Russell was a proud graduate of Maury High School in Norfolk and Randolph Macon College in Ashland, Va. While at R-MC, he was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. He went to medical school at the Medical College of Virginia. Russell served his internship at DePaul Hospital in Norfolk. He enlisted in the Navy and served as General Medical Officer aboard the USS Boxer. Russell then completed a residency in internal medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Following his residency, Russell returned to Norfolk and was one of the founding members of Consultants in Internal Medicine. He practiced medicine in Norfolk for 33 years. Russell always remained mindful of the fact that serving as someone's doctor was an extraordinary privilege and a sacred responsibility.
Russell also dedicated much of his professional life to medical leadership. He was President of Medical Staff at Leigh Memorial Hospital, Chairman of the Internal Medicine Department of Norfolk General Hospital, and an Associate Professor of Medicine at EVMS.
Service to others was a persistent theme in Russell's life. He was active in many medical societies and organizations. He served as President of the Medical Society of Virginia and as a delegate to the American Medical Association. In retirement, Russell was Chairman of the Community Services Board for Norfolk and also on the Board of Directors of the Virginia Health Information Board and the Medical College of Virginia Foundation. In recognition of his many accomplishments, Dr. Evett was given the Laureate Award and named a fellow by the American College of Physicians.
In addition, Russell was involved with the Norfolk Historical Society. He also remained an active member at Ghent United Methodist Church throughout his life and sang in the choir for many years. He served in many roles at church and was devoted to its congregation.
Russell is survived by his daughters, Anne Mallonee Bullerjahn (George) and Gail "Dinky" Winn (Jimmy) and his son, John Kirby Evett (Leslie) and his grandchildren Andrew Bullerjahn, Peggy Bullerjahn, Virginia Winn, Kendall Winn, Anna Winn, Kirby Evett, Meg Evett, and Neil Evett.
The family would like to express their appreciation for the excellent care he received from Dr. Stephen Thompson as well as Makaila Wallace and the staff of Eveready Home Care.
Russell will be remembered as a loving, generous and caring husband, father and friend whose smile was memorable and whose laugh was genuine and contagious. He loved to tell stories and always appreciated a joke, appropriate or otherwise. Russell loved to travel, both with Gail and with their children. All these years later, the family still laughs at one particular road trip to Florida in 1975 to see the last Apollo launch. Russell especially loved Norfolk. From his childhood on Raleigh Avenue to his later years at Harbor's Edge, the people, the institutions of the area, and most of all the water.
On Thursday, November 13th, the family will receive visitors at H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments at 1501 Colonial Avenue in Norfolk from 5:00 -7:00 PM. On Friday, November 14th, following a private graveside service, a memorial service will be held at Ghent United Methodist Church at 1:00 pm with Reverend Britney Toner officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Ghent UMC, Randolph Macon College or charity of choice.