John Elliott Russell, 80, passed away peacefully on May 10, 2025 with his family by his side. 

A lifelong resident of Savannah, John was born on December 7, 1944 to the late Leroy Elliott Russell and Brunelle Clifton Russell. He attended Henry Street School and Whitney Elementary School and graduated from Savannah High School in 1963.  After graduation he completed basic training in the United States Marine Corps and enrolled in the United States Coast Guard Reserves.  He began his career with Ford Motor Credit Company as a collections representative in 1968 and advanced to Assistant Branch Manager.  He was a reliable financing expert and established positive relationships with many automobile dealers in Savannah and the southeast Georgia area.  Upon retirement in 1998, he worked part-time for Colonial Couriers of Savannah.   

A lifelong and loyal fan of the Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Falcons and Georgia Bulldogs, we will always smile when we think of his love of riding around downtown Savannah reminiscing about his old stomping grounds, his McDonald's senior coke and sausage biscuit, and spending time with family.  He will always be remembered as a very kind and caring man who was always a pleasure to be around.    

In addition to his parents, John was predeceased by his son, John Barry Russell, his former wife and lifelong friend, Sharon Forbes Russell, his brother, Perry Eugene Russell and his son-in-law L. Alan Bills.  

He is survived by his daughter Michelle Russell Bills Wilcox(Wade) of Atlanta; daughter in law, Dawn Crowe Russell; siblings Tom Russell(Jan) and Danny Russell(Linda) of Gillsville, Ga; grandchildren Brandon Bills, Chandler Bills(Lennox) both of Atlanta, Isabelle Russell and Madeline Russell of Atlanta; great granddaughter Declan Stella Bills of Atlanta; his longtime partner and caregiver Sandy Powers and her daughter Blake Powers Stevens; and several nieces and nephews. 

Family and friends are invited to attend the visitation on Sunday,  May 18, 2025, from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. with service to follow at 11:30 a.m. Visitation and service will be at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, 7200 Hodgson Memorial Drive, Savannah, GA 31406. Burial will follow in Greenwich Cemetery, 330 Greenwich Road, Savannah, GA.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in John's memory to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

 Online Donations - St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital