Norman E. Russell, 76, of Paragould, passed away on Monday, April 26, 2021. He was born October 28, 1944, to Clarence and Millie Russell. Norman was a Vietnam War Veteran and served in the Missouri National Guard. He was a Master Mason at the Hornersville Masonic Lodge and retired from working on the railroad. He and his wife, Shirley, ran a food pantry from home called the Every Nation Food Pantry. Norman was the Troop 182 leader of the Boy Scouts in Cardwell, MO, and was a member of Paragould Church of God. He actively tried to make a difference in people's lives by volunteering at the Greene County Jail Ministry. Norman was the founding member and past president of the Steadfast Ridge Riders that operated under the Christian Motorcycle Association. Norman loved his family and cherished time spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Norman was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Virgil Followell; sisters, Nadine Pickle and Ruby Followell; sister in law, Betty Russell; and brothers in law, James Pickle and Bill Lemons.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Shirley Russell; daughter and son in law, Paula and Randy Sipes; son and daughter in law, Larry and Marilyn Russell; brother, Delbert Russell; sister, Sue Lemons; sister in law, Anna Sue Followell; grandchildren, Laura, Dee, Jay, Stacie, and Cliff; and great-grandchildren, Reese, Taylor, Brooklynn, Breelynn, Raelynn (Peanut), Kirsten, Lincoln, and Emalynn.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 29, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Phillips Funeral Home in Paragould. The funeral service will be on Friday, April 30, at 1:00 p.m. at Phillips Funeral Home with Gary Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Cardwell Cemetery. Larry Russell, Cliff George, Jay Sipes, Jeff Cox, Sid Binkley, and Jerry McMinn will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers include Matt Malone, Allen Gann, and Tim Davis.