of West Helena, AR
February 19, 1923 - March 25, 2022
Russell Adrian Johnson, age 99, of West Helena, Arkansas, passed away peacefully at his home Friday, March 25, 2022. He was born on February 19, 1923, to Ruby and Ewell Johnson of Holly Grove, Arkansas.
Russell served in the United States Navy in WWII and the Korean War. After his return to the States, he went to work for Glasner Miller at Lewis Supply Company as a truck driver. Mr. Miller saw potential in this young man and gradually mentored him through the ranks of his company, which later became Southern Hardware Company, until he moved Russell into the position of President of the company. He worked there for 47 years, passing on all he knew and had learned in the hardware business to Mr. Miller's son, Tom. Russell was always grateful for the opportunities Mr. Miller gave him and tried to pass that along to the young men who came after him in the company. After his retirement, he loved to work tirelessly in his yard, play golf with his many buddies, and especially spend time with his family and his four grandsons.
Russell was a faithful and loving husband to his wife of 57 years, Vera Grantham Johnson. After Vera's death, he was blessed to have a very special friend and companion, Carolyn Roy of Helena, share his life.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Vera; his parents, Ruby and Ewell; and his brother, Col. Douglas Leo Johnson.
Russell is survived by his loving friend, Carolyn Roy; his two daughters, Marcia Cunningham (Joe Tom) and Karen Barrow (John); his four grandsons, Dr. John Harley Barrow (June), Joseph Cotton Cunningham (Gwin), Russell Joel Barrow (Darnella), Gordon Adrian Cunningham (with whom he shared a birthday); his great-grandchildren, Cole Barrow, Reid Barrow (Vinessa), Peyton Barrow, Gage Barrow, Kendall Cunningham, Blaine Cunningham and Liz Cunningham.
Special thanks go to Russell's caregivers: Josephine Speed, Flo Brown, Joyce Mitchell and the Elite Hospice nurses, aids and chaplains, who so lovingly cared for him in the last 5 months of his life. Special thanks also go to Mike Reyna and his wife, Brenda for all the thoughtful gestures of kindness.
Graveside services will be held at 2:00 Tuesday, March 29, at Sunset Memorial Park. A reception will be immediately afterwards at the Cunningham Pool House.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to Explorer's Bible Study, P.O Box 425, Dickson, Tennessee 37056 or the Helena First United Methodist Church, 502 Porter Street, Helena, Arkansas 72342.
Services are directed by Roller-Citizens Funeral Home, West Helena, (870)-572-2571. Relatives and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/westhelena.
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22 Condolence(s)
Sandra Richmond
Sunday, April 3, 2022
With sincere sympathy. May God enfold you all in his loving arms.
Pete & Pat Hardy
Friday, April 1, 2022
Marsha and Family, Our hearts reaches out to you during this sad time. May God wrap his arms
around each one with Love.
Jo Turner
Friday, April 1, 2022
Marcia, I am very sorry to hear about your Dad. I enjoyed so much his visits to my office. He was one of my favorite clients. He was a very wise person and always came with a smile. Prayers and love your way, Jo.
Helen Cagle
Thursday, March 31, 2022
Marsha I am so sorry to hear about your Dad. Prayers for you and all your family!!
Allison Roy
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
Deepest condolences! An incredibly kind man, with a great sense of humor and loved by all. Sending love and hugs to the entire family, and to my mom, Carolyn. Thankful to have known him!
Peggy Wiggins
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
So sorry to have heard about Mr Russell’s passing. I have known him most of my life. My sister and I grew up with his daughters. He was a wonderful neighbor and friend to everyone. He was a fine man and it was an honor to know him and live across the street from him for several years. ðŸ™ðŸ’™
James & Deane Cavette
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
Sorry for your loss. I always enjoyed talking to him.
Jim Campbell
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
Marcia and Karen, I'm so sorry to hear of the passing of your father. DiAnna and I send our prayers and well wishes.
Dennis and Pat Delk
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
Dear Marcia, Carolyn and family,
We are so sorry for your loss of a great man. Our deepest condolences with many prayers for each of you. God bless you all.
Dennis and Pat
Gene Ridge
Monday, March 28, 2022
Marcia, I played many rounds of golf with your father. He was always a true sport and a fine gentleman. I will miss him.
Rose Paige
Monday, March 28, 2022
Marsha I am so sorry for your loss. Praying for you and family.
Joe Bragden
Monday, March 28, 2022
Sincere condolences and prayers to the family and friends
Ricky Tinsley and family
Monday, March 28, 2022
Sincere condolences and prayers to the family and friends
He was a great man and loyal customer at the Twin city barbershop
Rick Yeager
Monday, March 28, 2022
So sorry to hear about Uncle Russell. Prayers to Marsha, Karen and the family.
Lynette (Burt) Murphy
Monday, March 28, 2022
Marcia and family:
I am so sorry for the loss of your father. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Love to you.
Billie Sue Rohrscheib
Monday, March 28, 2022
We are so sorry about your sweet daddy!!! Our prayers are with you all! Henry and Billie Sue Rohrscheib
DIANE CLEMONS
Monday, March 28, 2022
He will always have a special place in my heart. He was one of a kind. So sorry for your loss.
Diane Clemons
Philly Rains
Sunday, March 27, 2022
Dear Marcia, Karen, and Carolyn, I am so glad I saw ya'll just a few weeks ago and got to talk to Russell. As always he was sweet, and loving, and tickled to have company. What a wonderful man. My family was blessed to call him our friend. We love you all dearly, and will miss him.
Betty Ann Scaife
Saturday, March 26, 2022
Prayers for you all,
Robert & Betty Ann Scaife
Ann Lee
Saturday, March 26, 2022
Marcia and Karen and Carolyn
So glad y’all got to have a birthday party for him with all your family ! Great celebration of his life. Prayers for your family.
Robert and Ann
james mayer
Saturday, March 26, 2022
Russell was such a special Gentlman. He never met a srranger; we were blessed to know him. You are in our thoughts and prayers. JIM & DIANE Mayer
Linda Dunlap
Saturday, March 26, 2022
Thoughts and prayers are with the family during this loss. I worked along side Russell for many years and to say he was a wonderful person is an understatement. I feel I can speak for all who worked with him and he was loved by all. Despite life throwing some curve balls, he survived and always had that wonderful smile. He truly will be missedâ¤ï¸ðŸ™ðŸ»ðŸ™ðŸ»ðŸ™ðŸ»