It is with deepest sympathy the management and staff of Mitchell-Josey Funeral Home, Inc. announces the passing of Mr. Tracey Bernard Russell, aka “Big Russ” or “Big Boy” of Darlington. Tracey expired on Monday afternoon, August 3, 2020 in a Florence hospital.
Funeral service will be 3:30pm on Saturday, August 8, 2020 in the church yard of Christ Temple Holiness Church with Bishop Wesley Belin, officiating. Private Interment will follow at a later date. Please adhere to social distancing and mask wearing at these services.
Obituary
Mr. Tracey Bernard Russell was born in Florence, South Carolina on November 15, 1969, a son of Charlie M. Russell and Elizabeth Alford Russell. He transitioned on Monday afternoon, August 3, 2020 in McLeod Regional Medical Center.
Tracey received his education in the Darlington County Public School System and was a graduate of Mayo High School, Class of 1988. An great football player, Tracey was awarded a football scholarship to University of District of Columbia (UDC) in Washington, DC. Years later, Tracey transferred to Savannah State University in Savannah, Georgia to play football. He also attended Lenior-Ryhne University in Hickory, North Carolina.
After college, Tracey returned back to his home in Darlington and was gainfully employed in Florence and Darlington counties. He was a young man that was not afraid to work. He would help in any way he could.
Tracey was a well mannered young man and was born and raised in Christ Temple and St. John’s Temple Holiness Churches. He was a member of the church choir and loved to sing.
Tracey was well know in and around Darlington and Florence counties. He formed many bonds along his life’s journey. Tracey and Mr. Patterson (his stepfather) bonded closer throughout the years to where Mr. Patterson became his “Da” He was called Scarborough, Big Russ, and Big Boy by those who knew and loved him. To know Tracey was to love him.
Tracey is survived by his mother and stepfather: Elizabeth (Howard) Patterson; his father: Charlie Russell; two sons: Jamal Louis Russell and Tre’Vion “Tre” (Willow) Russell; two grandchildren; siblings: Travis “Bubba” Russell, Krystal “Shae” Dunham, and Keith Hunter; a nephew: Keenen Ahmad Russell; his god-parents, Suffragan Bishop Wesley and Betty Belin, Mother Jefferson (grandma Azalee), Mrs. Maggie Burns and Mr. & Mrs. Luwayne Brockington; a host of aunts, uncles, great aunts, great uncles, cousins, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents: Henry and Lillie Belle Alford; paternal grandparents: Elizabeth Bethea and Junior Godbolt, his brother: Charlie Nathan Russell.
Please keep the Russell family in your thought and prayers.
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