Charles Robert Russell

1943 - 2021

Bishop Charles Robert Russell

February 6, 1943 - August 6, 2021

Bishop Charles Robert Russell, age 78, of Covington, Va., went to be with the Lord, on Friday, August 6, 2021, at Lewis-Gale Hospital in Salem, Va. He was born on February 6, 1943, in Cedar Bluff, Va.

Charles is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Delsie Lovine Ratliff Russell, of the home; son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Denise Russell of Salem, Va.; daughter and son-in-law, Lisa (Leigh) and Jody Thompson of Forest, Va.; daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca and Brian Robinson, of Salem, Va.; grandchildren, Craig Russell and wife, Brooklyn, Cameron Russell and wife, Grace, Carleigh Thompson, Cole Thompson, Ian Thompson and Aubrey Robinson; and great-granddaughter, Madilyn Russell.

He was preceded in death by his father, Emory Clyde Russell; his mother, Pansy Norene Russell Lilly; stepfather, Warren Lilly; brothers, Emory Clyde Russell Jr. and John Fulton Russell; sister, Elizabeth "Libby" Stacey; and grandchild, Emery Robinson.

Charles was a loving husband, father, friend and brother in Christ. It did not matter whether you called him Mr. Russell, Brother Russell, Charlie Bob, Coach, Pastor, Poppaw, Poppy, Charlie or Bob, he lived all of those roles with honor and joy. He was a mentor to many over the years.

He enjoyed coaching various youth sports, spending time at Camp Lowman working the snack stand as well as hunting and time in the woods with his hunt club friends and fellow coworkers. He retired from the Kroger Company where he worked for 35 years. In addition, Charles served in the United States Army­­­­. During that time, he was stationed stateside as well as in Korea.

It was his honor to lead others to give their heart to the Lord as he did some 40 years ago. He worked diligently to obtain his bachelor's degree in Theology from Christian Life School of Theology as well as other studies over the years. He started out as a Sunday School teacher and Deacon at the Dixie Caverns Church of God of Prophecy. He evangelized throughout Virginia for many years. Charles was a minister for 32 years. He served as Pastor and Bishop for many of those years at the Church of God of Prophecy in Lexington, Lighthouse Church of God of Prophecy in Burkeville and Cornerstone Church of God of Prophecy in Covington. Charles was most recently a member of Real Life Ministries in Salem. It gave him great joy to see his son as his Pastor.

Our family takes great comfort in knowing that our husband/father is now in the arms of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We know that he is now, truly, "Very Well!", as he'd often say when asked how he was doing, whether he was or not.

Visitation will be held Saturday, August 21, 2021, from 6 until 8 p.m. at Lotz Funeral Home, 1330 E. Main Street, Salem, Va. A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, August 22, 2021, at 3 p.m. at Real Life Ministries, 4338 Alleghany Drive, Salem, VA 24153. A private graveside service will be held at a later date. Pastor Steve Russell will officiate. The family would like to thank the staff at Lewis Gale Hospital for their care during this difficult time.

"His Lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." Matthew 25:21