JOHN ALLEN RUSSELL

John Allen “Toad” Russell, 89, husband of Mary Scott Russell, died Sunday, June 9, 2024, at the home of his daughter and son-in-law.
Born Oct. 4, 1934, in Sumter, he was a son of the late Cecil Russell and Elizabeth Atkinson Russell Atkinson. Mr. Russell was a member of Crosswell Baptist Church. He served in the South Carolina Army National Guard and was also a member of The Woodmen of the World. He was formerly employed by Kneece Tractor, Gulledge International and retired from Sumter County Public Works. He loved his family dearly.

Survivors in addition to his wife of 52 years include six daughters, Cindy Watts of Murrells Inlet, Babs Wright (Bill) of Charleston, Debra Miller (Jim) of Jefferson, Melissa Davis Pack of Chapin, Marijon Ardis (Stan) and Tammy Anderson, both of Sumter; 15 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one brother, Billy Joe Russell (Renay) of Sumter; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a brother, James C. “Jimmy” Russell.

Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Crosswell Baptist Church, officiated by the Rev. Charles Owens. Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be grandsons, Josh Watts, Connor Miller, Ryan Miller, Bryson Ardis, Hayden Ardis and Rhett Jones.

The family will receive friends from 3 to 4 p.m. Tuesday at Crosswell Baptist Church and other times at the home of his daughter and son-in-law, 2085 Essex Drive, Sumter.

Memorials may be sent to Crosswell Baptist Church, 604 Mathis St., Sumter, SC 29150, or to the Parkinson's Foundation 200 SE 1st St., Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131, www.parkinson.org.

Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.