June McKnight Russell

NEWTON…Mrs. June McKnight Russell, a resident of Newton, died early Saturday morning, October 28, 2023, at her home. She was 75.

            Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Friday, November 3, 2023, in the Newton First Assembly of God Church with Pastor Raina McAllister officiating. Burial will follow in the Newton City Cemetery. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 P.M. Friday at the church.

            Mrs. Russell, daughter of the late Perry Phillip McKnight and Wanda Doris Byrd McKnight, was a native and lifelong resident of Newton. She was a 1966 Graduate of Dale County High School in Midland City. Mrs. Russell retired from General Telephone (G.T.E.) in Dothan, Ozark, Daleville, and Enterprise after several years of employment. She loved and supported her family, especially her grandchildren. Mrs. Russell was a member of Newton First Assembly of God Church. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Clifton Bradley Smith and Lindwood Earl Russell; daughter, Deanna June Smith Russell.

            Surviving relatives include her daughter, Judith Howard (Doug), Newton; her sister, Judy Osborne, Newton; two brothers, Phillip McKnight (Linda) and Milton McKnight (Kay), all of Newton; two grandchildren, Kimmie Howard and Justin Howard (Candace); three great-grandchildren, Tucker, Tegan, and Bentley; nieces and nephews.

            Serving as active pallbearers will be Neal Byrd, Tony Byrd, Brian McKnight, Willie Smith, Ronnie Wiggins, and Doug Collins.