Noel Monaghan Russell, 63, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019, in Stuart, Fla., from complications from a heart attack he suffered several days earlier.
Noel was born in Clarksdale on June 24, 1955, to Mr. and Mrs. James A. Russell, Jr. and raised on his family’s farm near Jonestown.
He attended Jonestown Elementary School and he went on to graduate from Lee Academy in 1973. He studied history at Rhodes College, graduating in 1977, and was inducted into Alpha Beta Kappa. He received a master’s degree from Delta State University in history in 1983.
Pursuing a career as a teacher, Noel moved to south Mississippi in 1982. Over a span of nearly 20 years, Noel taught history, as well as acting as an administrator at several schools in the region, including Rebul Academy, Union Academy and Sylva-Bay Academy. As with such roles, Noel impacted many lives in an effort to impart wisdom and guidance on his students.
For the past 20 years, Noel has resided in Stuart, working for many years at a local book store, through which he made many friends in the area. Having retired several years ago, Noel remained active, reading history and actively collecting select antiques.
In addition to his parents, Noel was preceded in death by a brother, Kimbriel Richard Russell.
He is survived by his sister, Mimi R. Sawyer, of Stuart; a brother, J. Alcorn Russell, III, of Lyon; two nieces, Helen Russell and Mary Kathryn Burge, of Hattiesburg; and a nephew, John E. Sawyer of Denver, Colo.
A beloved brother, uncle and friend, Noel was taken too soon, but will remain a cherished influence on all who knew him.
Memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 8 at the Alcorn Memorial Cemtery in Jonestown.
