Harold Leo Russell, Jr.

Harold Leo Russell, Jr., 67, a lifelong resident of Forest, passed away at his home Saturday, May 27, 2023, following a courageous two-year battle with lung cancer. Services will be held on Wednesday, May 31, at Ott & Lee, with a 12 p.m. visitation and the funeral immediately following at 2 p.m.

Leo, as he was known by most, was born in Forest on September 30, 1955, to Dr. Harold Leo Russell, Sr., and Mary Grace Cochran Russell. He joined Forest United Methodist Church at a young age and attended school in Forest and Brandon. He furthered his education at Hinds Jr. College and The University of Mississippi. He married Elizabeth Lee Mapp in 1980, and they had two sons, Justin Cochran Russell, and Rusty Charles Russell.

Leo was an avid sportsman and Ole Miss fan. He loved to hunt all manner of game, particularly turkey and elk, and he taught his children and grandchildren to do the same. He also enjoyed riding his Harley-Davidson, meeting many friends along the way who shared the same passion. Leo was an award-winning barbeque cook, and he smoked and grilled anything you could imagine to bring the family together, usually on Saturdays for big college football games. Through and through, he was always a hard worker who liked driving his Peterbilt across the country and operating heavy machinery. He retired in 2021 from Key Constructors LLC of Madison.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Mapp Russell; sons, Justin Russell (Jessi) and Rusty Russell; mother, Grace Russell; sister, Karon Martin (Steve); brother, Dr. Ron Russell (Christie) of Meridian; grandchildren, Rowan Russell and Kalli Russell, and Kaden Lee Russell of Taylorsville; aunt, Eula Anne Myers; nieces, Tara Martin Whittington (Zach) and Courtney Jicks of Lake Charles, LA; nephews, Russell Martin (Mary) of Brandon, Jacob Russell of Meridian, and Dustin Smith (Jessica) of Hernando; great nephew, Russell Paul Martin; and cousins; Harry Myers (Donna), Mickey Myers (Melody), and Mickenzie Myers.

He was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Harold Leo Russell, Sr.; grandparents, W.J. “Red” Cochran and Sula Cochran, and Manuel Lester “Rusty” Russell and Marjorie Russell; and uncle, Gene Myers.

Donations in his memory should be made to Forest United Methodist Church.

OTT & LEE Funeral Home of Forest is honored to serve the Leo Russell family.