Joseph Dwight Russell

Wilson

Joseph Dwight Russell, MD, of Wilson, died peacefully at his home on Saturday November 11, 2017 with his devoted family by his side. He was 73.

The family will receive visitors at the home on Monday evening from 5-7 PM. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday November 14 at First Presbyterian Church in Wilson, NC. There will be a private burial.

Dr. Russell was born May 12th, 1944 in Kinston, NC to Norman and Hester (McDaniel) Russell. He spent his childhood in Kinston, New Bern and Winston-Salem and graduated from Grainger High School in Kinston, NC in 1962. Dr. Russell married Sarah Anne Poole on August 19th, 1967. After earning his medical degree and completing his nephrology residency at University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill, he served as a Major in the United States Army Medical Corps at Fort Gordon in Augusta, Georgia. In 1975, he and his family moved to Wilson, NC and he opened his private practice specializing in Internal Medicine and Nephrology. For over 30 years, he invested his time and energy serving the people of eastern North Carolina by making significant contributions to family health care delivery and starting several dialysis centers to provide treatment for those with end stage renal disease. His medical career can be defined by innovation, integrity, and abundant compassion for his patients and community. In 1993, he was awarded the UNC School of Medicine Distinguished Service Award.

Dr. Russell was an avid hunter, fisherman, and animal lover – especially dogs.

Dr. Russell is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sarah Anne Poole Russell; his daughters Stephanie Blythe Russell Bacon (John) and Meredith Leigh Russell Exum (Manning); and grandchildren Blythe and Rose Bacon and Russell and Ruth Exum; his brother Stephen McDaniel Russell (Betty); his nieces, Greer Russell Clemmons (Toby), Cheryl Russell, and Natalie Russell Dunham (Aaron); his nephew, Stephen McDaniel Russell, Jr. (Teresa); and three great nieces Shelby, Catherine, and Della and great nephew Mac.

He was preceded in death by his parents Norman and Hester Russell and his brother Norman Elwood Russell, Jr. and his niece, Norma Russell.

Flowers should be sent to Joyner's Funeral Home in Wilson. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to any of the following: First Presbyterian Church, Wilson or the Church of your choice; Hester McDaniel Russell Endowment Fund at Barton College (in memory and honor of caregivers); UNC Kidney Center, Chapel Hill; Lineberger Cancer Center or North Carolina Cancer Hospital Patient and Family Support Program, Chapel Hill; and For the Love of Dogs Inc. Dog Rescue and Adoption, Wilson.

Condolences may be directed to Joyner's Funeral Home at www.joyners.net

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The News and Observer on Nov. 12, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Russell

Sponsored by Joyner's Funeral Home.

5 Entries

Philip Klemmer

November 8, 2021

I still think of Joe. He continues to make me happy and optimistic. I'm lucky that our paths crossed

Philip klemmer

November 14, 2017

I first met Joe in 1972 at NCMH. He and I were lucky to have been mentored by William B Blythe whose humanism and compassion were mirrored in Joe.. Joe was a placed person and his place was Eastern North Carolina. None of us were surprised that he turned down a fellowship offer at Yale in order to remain with his dogs and North Carolina BBQ. Joe lived a meaningful life with both of his hearts. His spirit lives on in the heats and minds of all who loved him. Joe's motto, like that of his beloved North Carolina should read: Esse Quam Videri To be rather than to seem. Bill Blythe would agree.

November 14, 2017

I first met Joe at NCMH in 1972. He truly loved UNC , Eastern North Carolina , his wife Sarah , his daughters, his dogs and our mutual beloved mentor ,William B Blythe. The fact that he chose to pass up a nephrology fellowship at Yale to remain at UNC with his dogs did not surprise anyone who truly knew Joe. He was a placed person and North Carolina was his place. Joe lived a compassionate and meaningful life with both of his hearts. He will be missed but never forgotten. Philip J Klemmer

Sandy & Bill Matthews

November 13, 2017

We only knew Dr. Joe for a few months, as his next door neighbors at Cypress Glen. In that very short time we grew so fond of him and his sweet dog, Jake. We had many enjoyable conversations sitting out in the sunshine in the Hickory Street "circle park" and will miss him. God rest his soul and our sincere sympathy to his wife and dear daughters and their families. Sandy & Bill Matthews

Susie Mckeel

November 12, 2017

Rest In Peace you will be missed and never forgotten.

Showing 1 - 5 of 5 results