Bolivar "Cleo" Russell

Bolivar Cleo Russell, known by most as Cleo, passed away on Thursday, June 7, 2018 in Hammond, La. at the age of 91.  He was born on Feb. 18,1927 to Aleen Lambert Russell and Bolivar Ray Russell in rural Roseland, known as Russelltown.  

In 1944 he joined the U.S. Navy and served his country during World War II aboard the destroyer U.S.S. Cassin Young. He was honorably discharged in 1946, almost a year after the war ended.  In 1951 he graduated college with a BA in education. He went on to work for the State of La. as a probation and parole officer.  He became an ordained minister on Feb. 22, 1984 and ministered for the Church of Christ for many years.  During this time, he traveled to other countries including the Philippines and Africa doing missionary work.   

He is survived by three children, Cynthia Russell Payne, married to Bill Payne, Marianna Ursin, married to Ed Ursin, and a son, Kevin Russell.  He has five grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Aleen Lambert Russell and Bolivar R. Russell; his sisters, Belle Russell Lanier, and Sadie Russell Pevey; his brothers Royce Russell, Dale Gray Russell, and Cara Beasley Russell,”CB”; and his wife, Linnie Marjorie Russell on January 11, 2009.  

A Visitation for Cleo will be held on Sunday, June 10, 2018 from12:00pm until 2:00pm at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home in Hammond. A Funeral Service Celebrating Cleo’s Life will immediately follow visitation at 2:00pm in the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow at Russell Town Cemetery in Arcola. 

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home in Hammond. 

Cleo’s guest book can be viewed at www.harrymckneely.com