Russell Baxley, 70, died Sunday, July 6, 2008 at his residence after a long illness. He was born Apr. 14, 1938 and was a native and life long resident of Baxley. Russell was retired from the City of Baxley where he was employed in the sanitation department. He was a member of Oak Grove Church of God. Russell was the son of the late Linton “Bud” and Avie Lee Teston Baxley.

He is survived by his wife, Pearlie Baxley of Baxley; two daughters, Hazel Baxley and Renee Odum; two sons, Curtis Russell Baxley and wife, Danna of Baxley, Ed Linton Baxley and fiancee, Christy Griffin of Baxley; three sisters and brother-in-law, Annie Mae and James Fossett of Baxley, Doris Hall of Alma and Lorene Carrol of Deland, Fla.; one brother and sister-in-law, Milton and Doris Baxley of Dublin; seven grandchildren: Brittany Odom, Shelby Shipes, Jennifer Shipes, Joseph Baxley, Christopher Herrington, Michael Herrington and Austin Baxley; two step-grandchildren, Holly Griffin and April Griffin; several nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 9 at David E. Miles Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Rick Brown, the Rev. Sterling Bargeron and Dennis Bryant officiating. Interment followed in the Baxley Graveyard.

Active pallbearers were Jimmy Music, William Griffin, James Norwood, David Gore, Dale Sapp, Buddy Roberson, Steve Spell and Steve D. Cox, Jr.

Honorary pallbearers were visiting nurses of Hazlehurst, members of the Baxley City Council, retired city employees, members of City Hall and city employees.

Musical selections were rendered by Danny Sikes, Vickie Dyal, Teresa Deen and Bill Mincey.

David E. Miles Funeral Home was in charge of funeral arrangements.