Russell King
Russell Theodore King, Sr. lived for 92 irrepressible years before passing away in Chattanooga on Monday, April 2, 2012.
Born in Chattanooga on January 20, 1920 to Elizabeth Millwood King and Russell Marion King, he attended East Chattanooga Elementary and Chattanooga High Schools and also graduated from Lee Bible College before enrolling at the University of Chattanooga. In 1940, he married the love of his life, Magdalene Goins, who passed away in 1991. During one of his country's darkest hours, in December 1941, he enlisted in the Navy.
After V-J day, he returned to Chattanooga, went to work for the U.S. Postal Service, and also re-enrolled at the University of Chattanooga. His high standards propelled him up the organization during his 35 years of service and he retired as director of Finance.
Known for his instinctive acts of Christian kindness, he was active in the Church of God throughout his life. He was a State Trustee for the Churches of God in Tennessee. He attended East Chattanooga Church of God for over 50 years, where he taught Sunday School and served as Superintendent of the Sunday School program. He later transferred his membership to the North Chattanooga Church of God, where he also taught a Sunday School class for many years. He never forgot the comfort that God's word gave him while a young sailor far from home through Gideon's Bible distribution, and dedicated himself to ensuring that the lonely, the bereft of hope, and the grieving could know the same comfort in their hour of need. He was a member of the Northeast Camp of Gideon’s International for over 35 years.
Mr. King was a man with an enormous talent for love and friendship, and both gave and inspired loyalty. During their 51 year marriage, they raised three children, Carol King Lackey (Herbert ), of McDonald, an educator; David King, of Chattanooga, also with the Postal Service; and Russell King, of Chattanooga, an attorney. He taught his children by eloquent example. He will also be greatly missed by his sister, Mary Katherine King Anderson, grandchildren, Dr. Kim Lackey Fisher and husband Dr. Robert Fisher, Dr. Lebron Lackey and wife Heather, and Joshua King; great-grandchildren, Emily Fisher Jones (and husband Jeremy), Matt Fisher (and wife Jade), Dave Fisher, Lebron Lackey, III and Samuel Russell (Ted) Lackey; great great grandchild, Haley Elizabeth Jones, and his sister-in-law, Odelle Goins Patton and nieces Candis and Paula Patton.
A celebration of his life will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 6, at the funeral home chapel with the Reverend Wendell Smith , Reverend William P. Colter and Reverend Jeremy Jones officiating. His granddaughter Dr. Kim Lackey Fisher and his friend and neighbor Dalton Roberts will give eulogies. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Gideon's International (Northeast Camp) and members of the Sanctuary Bible Class at North Chattanooga Church of God.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that friends consider making contributions to the Gideon's International, P.O. Box 16041, Chattanooga, Tn. 37416, Hospice of Chattanooga, or the Baroness Foundation at Erlanger Medical Center, 975 East Third Street, Chattanooga, Tn. 37403.
The family expresses its enduring gratitude to the health care providers at Erlanger Medical Center and Hospice of Chattanooga.
Visit www.heritagefh.com to share words of comfort and view the memorial tribute.
The family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday at Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 East Brainerd Road.