Joseph Parrylee Russell
September 2, 1930 ~ August 13, 2007
Services:
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, August 16, 2007 at 10:00 AM in St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Leonardtown, MD with Fr. John Mattingly officiating. Interment will follow at Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD.
Visitation:
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 at the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home from 4:00-8:00 PM with prayers being said at 6:30 PM.
Joseph "Joe" Parrylee Russell, Jr., 76, of Leonardtown, MD died August 13, 2007 in Prince George's Hospital Center. Born September 2, 1930 in Loveville, MD he was the son of Joseph Parrylee and Alice Elizabeth Joy Russell, Sr. He was the loving husband of Lois Marie Russell, whom he married on July 18, 1953 in Leonardtown, MD. He is survived by his children Lois Ann Springer and her husband Dale of Valley Lee, MD, Joseph Michael Russell of Port Orange, FL, Brenda Marie Unkle and her husband Tommy of Park Hall, MD and Tina Lee Raley and her husband John of Leonardtown, MD. He is also survived by his grandchildren; Jennifer L. Shizak and her husband Andy, Jeffrey D. Springer and his wife Brandy and Brian T. Unkle, his great-grandchildren; Kyle A. Shizak, Elizabeth R. Shizak, Jeffrey D. Springer, Jr. and Sydney Mooney as well as his sister, Mary Katherine McCurdy and her husband Bruce of Marriotsville, MD. A life long resident of St. Mary's County, Joe graduated from Margaret Brent High School, "Class of 1948." Mr. Russell worked as a self employed, life long farmer and caretaker of Newtowne Manor Farm and more recently enjoyed 19 years of employment at Bell Motor Company as a car salesman. The love of his life was his John Deere Tractors as well as cars and collecting numerous hubcaps. Known as "John Deere Joe", he participated in many tractor pulls, including the one at the St. Mary's County Fair, winning various awards over the years. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 from 4:00-8:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Chapel, Leonardtown, MD where prayers will be said at 6:30 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, August 16, 2007 at 10:00 AM in St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Leonardtown, MD with Fr. John Mattingly officiating. Interment will follow in Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD. Pallbearers will be Jeffrey Dale Springer, Brian Thomas Unkle, Andrew Shizak, Lawrence Pilkerton, Wayne Norris and Larry Joy. Honorary Pallbearers will be Francis Woodburn, Thomas Bowles, Norman Pilkerton, Jr., Loretta Vallandingham, Bernard Delahay, Joseph Stewart, Leroy Stewart and Mary Katherine Abell. Contributions may be made to Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 299, Leonardtown, MD 20650 and/or Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 50, Leonardtown, MD 20650. For additional information or to leave a condolence for the family, please visit www.mgfh.com. Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.
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“Lois and family, our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Always remember the good times you had with Joe and God will guide you through this difficult time until you meet again for eternity.”
“Lois and Family, Joe will be missed. Each of you will be remembered in our thoughts and prayers. Take care of yourselves.”
“My deepest sympathies to you and your family. May you find some comfort in knowing you are in our thoughts and prayers. He’ll forever be with you through warm memories held close in your hearts. May God Bless you and stay close to you during this difficult time of sorrow.”
“Lois, Joe Mike, Lois Ann, Brenda, Tina and all the family, please know that you all are in our thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time. Joe is and will always be a close and special friend to us! Wayne has so many fond memories of good times that he shared with Joe during the years. Please give us a call if any of you need anything at all. Love, Wayne, Eleanor, Jessica and Kimberly”
“Just heard from my sisters today about Joe and wanted to let you know that you and the family are in my thoughts and prayers here in Georgia. (I am Dish Morgan’s oldest daughter.)”
“Lois and family, We are so sorry for your loss. May God be with you. You are in our prayers and thoughts.”
“Lois and family; our heartfelt sorry are with you. We greatly admired Joe and consider all of you as family. May God’s guidance and blessing be upon you.”
“”Lois & Family You are in our thoughts and prayers and let us know if there is anything We can Do… “
“OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. JOE IS NO LONGER SUFFERING. HE WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED AS THE JOHN DEERE MAN.”
“Truely,He will be missed,but, He will ALWAYS be Remembered as a wonderful friend to everyone he met.”
“Lois and Family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God keep you during this time of sorrow.”
“Dear Lois. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.”
“You All are in our thoughts and prayers.May God Bless your Family.”
“Lois and Family, My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of great sorrow. May the Good Lord bless you and watch over you. All my love Lucy”
“Dear Lois and Family, Please know that we have all of you in our thoughts and prayers. Joe was a great friend. “
“Lois and the Family, Our Thoughts and Prayers are with you. Trust in the Lord. “
“Lois, our prayers go out to you and your family. Joe was a good friend and a very good man with the real sense of humility. He will always be remembered as our “John Deere” Man.”
“Joe Russell “The John Deere Man” was my friend. Even though we were many years apart in age we shared very similar intestets in life. I enjoyed everytime we spent together,at the tractor pulls and having dinner after those long days with Ms. Lois’s good cooking. I loved him and I will miss him and I love Ms. Lois and I am here to do whatever I can in this difficult time. Anthony “
“Our deepest condolences to the “Russell” family. Jimmy and I always enjoyed chatting with Joe when we would stop by the used car lot. Jimmy and Joe would always compare those “Ford” products, along with all those fancy wheels and chrome. Our prayers are with you at this time.”
“Lois & Family You are in our thoughts and prayers and let us know if there is anything at all we can do for you!”
“Dear Lois and Family, Each of you are deeply in our prayers in this time of sorrow. May God bless each of you. “
“Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time.”
“Lois, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Joe was a great man loved and admired by many. Please remember the good times. Feel free to call on us if you need anything at all. “
“Lois and Family, Just wanted to let you know that my heartfelt sympathies go out to you and your family on the loss of your love one and my special friend. Working with Joe for years at Bell Motor, Joe was like a Daddy to me. Daddy Russell will always have a special place in my heart. With all my love Donna “
“Im very sorry to hear about Uncle Joe. You all are in our thoughts and prayers. Mom & I are thinking about you.”
“We are so sorry for the loss of your loved one our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in your time of sorrow. We will say a prayer for you.”
“My thoughts and prayer are with you and your family. “
“Tina, I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. May God bless you and comfort you and your family.”
“Lois, and Family. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to you and your family. Joe was a special friend. MAY THE JOHN DEERE MAN REST IN PEACE.”
“Those we hold most dear in our hearts never really leave us. Thinking of you and keeping you and yours in our prayers in this time of sorrow.”
“I’m very sorry to hear about Joe.I will say a prayer for your Family.”
“OUR PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU ALL IN THIS TIME OF SORROW.”
“To the Russell Family : You all are in our Thoughts and Prayers. Joe was a wonderful man.”
“Lois, I am so sorry to hear of your loss, my thoughts and prayers are of you and your Dad.”
“All of you are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Joe was a great person, he will be missed.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family in this time of sorrow. Rick & Wanda Loheed”
“Lois & Family: Sharing your sorrow. At such a time there isn’t much that anyone can say to help ease the pain, but many thoughts go out to you in sympathy. We no longer live in St. Mary’s County and will be unable to attend any of the services for Joe. He will always be remembered and mourned in the neighborhood. Skip and Joe grew up in the Loveville area. You will always have your cherished memories to help ease the pain. May God bless all of you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Doris & Skip Jones”
“Lois and family – You all are in my thoughts and prayers. May God give you the strength to get thru this difficult time, and may happy memories warm your heart.”
“Your family our in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless You All”
“”Lois & Family” Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you in your time of sorrow. We will keep you in our prayers.”
“Lois and Family, our hearts go out to you in this hard time of sorrow. Just remember Joe is in a better place, and he will be watching over you and your family for eternity now. Just keep the good memories close to your heart and it will pull you through this hard time. “
“To the Russell family, we are very sorry to hear about Joe. We can only hope that there are Red and Green tractors in heaven. Then Dad and Joe can continue to brag about which brand is the better tractor. May God bless all of you. You are in our prayers.”
“LOIS, YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ARE IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYER. LET US KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING YOU NEED, WE ARE RIGHT ACROSS THE WAY. JOE WILL BE DEARLY MISSED. MCKYNZEE AND ZANDER WILL MISS YELLING ‘HI JOE HI JOE’ ACROSS THE YARD. WITH OUR LOVE, GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS.”
“Lois & family, we just wanted to let you know you are in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless you all.”
“Our condolences to the Russell family at this time of your sorrow. Our prayers are with you at this difficult time. Joe will be greatly missed with his tractors.”
“Lois, We will miss Joe, he was one of the finest men we have known. You and your family are in our hearts and prayers. Love, Leo and Doris Anne”
“Lois you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.May God Bless your Family.”
“To the Russell Family, My sympathy and prayers are with you all at this time. Daddy Russell as Donna calls him, was a good man. God Bless You Lois.”
“Lois,we feel your sorrow and our thoughts are with you. Joe was a fine person and we considered him one of our best friends in St. Mary’s County, actually one of the few men we would trust enough to buy a used car from. It was a pleasure to have known him.”
“Folks, Joe was a wonderful personality and Deere Friend. Be strong and know you and he are Loved by so many.”
“Tina,Brenda &family, We are so sorry for the loss of your father. May you hold the memories close to your hearts and feel his presence always. Keeping your families in our prayers.”
“All of you are in my thoughts and prayers. Joe was a wonderful man, always fun to talk with and a true gentleman. St. Mary’s County has lost a great friend. Love to you all!”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this very sad time. “
“Although we had only known Joe for a relatively short period of time compared to that of his old friends,we thought that he was a great guy. Lois, you and your family are in our prayers.”
“Lois & Dale Springer and the entire Russell family, We are thinking of you in this time of sorrow. Sorry we are unable to be at the services but please know that you are in our thoughts. Be thankful for and remember all the good times you shared and they will help you through this. “
“Our Hearts go out to you Lois and your family. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all and we want to express my sympathy in the time of losing a loved one. Lots of love and blessings to you and your family to help you through these times. Denise Barnes (co-worker from NESEA) and Keith Young (farmer and friend of Joe’s).”
“May you take comfort in knowing that Joe is only as far away as your thoughts, prayers and memories. Personally, my childhood memories of wonderful summers spent together remain in my heart forever. For that, I am forever grateful and appreciative.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. Joe was a good friend and he will be missed greatly.”
“Lois, and family so sorry to hear of your loss. Joe is a great person and always gave of himself to others. My prayers and friendship are with you at this time. May God bless and watch over you at this time of sorrow. If you need anything just let me know. Rita Pegg and Family “
“Lois & Dale, Please know that your family here at NuStar in San Antonio have you in our thoughts and our prayers.”
“Tina, we are so sorry to hear of the loss of your dad. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.”
“Lois and Family, Sorry to hear about the loss of your father. May treasured memories bring you peace. With sincere sympathy. “
“Lois and Family, we have many fond memories of Joe sitting tall on his John Deere, delivering vegetables during the early years and later at Bell Motor Company. Newtowne Manor Farm has always been “God’s Country” largely due to Joe’s caretaking for so may years. Our prayers and thoughts are with you during this difficult time.”
“Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.”
“Tina, I’m sorry to hear about your fathers passing. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.”
“Lois & Family, Ourdeepest sympathies to you all. May you all find some comfort during this difficult time. You are in our thoughts and prayers.”
“Lois, Joe Mike, Lois Ann, Brenda, and Tina I send my love to you. I have many wonderful memories of times spent with Joe. We all had some good times together at the Bucksnort parties. Joe truly appreciated the Bluegrass music and the kinship of folks enjoying each other’s company. Joe was so supportive to the group and anyone affiliated is well aware of that. I’m grateful for my friendship with Joe. Joe’s smile and laugh is instilled in my mind. I respected Joe Russell. I will miss him and think of him often.”
“Dear Lois, Tina and family, We were so sorry to hear of your husband and Dad’s passing. Our sincere sympathy to you and your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this said time. Love, Marlene and John”
“Mrs Russell,Tina & Lois, Our prayer’s have been said in hopes it will help to ease the pain of such a loss, may time and good memories help to heal.”
” Lois, Our Deepest Sympathy.”
“Lois & Dale, We would like to express out deepest sympathy to you and your family for your loss. “
“Lois Joe was like a brother to me.I will miss seeing him when we stopped at Bell Moters.Sally and I will keep you in our prayers. If we can do anything for you let us know. Francis Combs and Sally Crouse”
“Lois, I’m sorry to hear about your Father. I didn’t know him, but after reading the great things about him, I wish I had met him. Take Care of yourself and be comfort for your Mother.”
“Although we are far away our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this sad time.”
“I am so sorry for your loss. I only met your dad once but I never forgot him. he was just a great person. Remember only GOD KNOWS OUR HEART AND I AM SURE JOE IS WITH HIM TONIGHT. ITS A BETTER PLACE. BUT YOU ARE SUFFERING THE LOSS SO I WILL KEEP YOU IN PRAYER. “
“Daddy, God took you sooner than we were prepared for, but all of us know that you are finally free of your pain and suffering and now resting in peace with our Lord. We were overwhelmed with all the love and support from all of your wonderful friends you’ve made throughout your life. You worked so hard to give us everything you could and for that we love you very much. Mom loved you with all her heart and she is going to miss you so much, but we will take care of her for you. Rest in peace, Daddy from your loving family! “
“LOIS & FAMILY,JUST A SHORT NOTE TO SAY WE ARE SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT JOE. WE COULD NOT BE THERE AT VISITATION & FUNERAL BUT OUR THOUGHTS WERE WITH YOU.”
“I just found out and wanted to let the family know you are in my prayers. Compton has just lost a great man and it will never be the same without him.”
“Here it is over 3 months after his death and we’re still grieving. Thats the kind of impact Joe had on people. I sincerely miss him and wish his entire family well. I can only imagine the emptiness you feel in your hearts, and he wasnt even related to me. I loved him as if he were and I sincerely extend my hand and heart to you all if you ever need me. You know he is at peace and is now an extra angel looking over you and yours. God Bless you All! We were all fortunate to have known him. “
“Joe Mike and the entire Russell family. Even though it has been several months, I wanted to express my sincere sympathy on the passing of your father. I only met him a few times when I was Joe Mike’s neighbor. However, his smile and friendly nature left a lasting impression as a very good and decent man who enjoyed his family and community. May he rest in peace and may time heal the hurt you feel. “