Ira Franklin Russ

Obituary: Kannapolis, NC- Ira Franklin Russ, age 76, went to be with the Lord on Monday, October 12, 2009 at the Bob & Carolyn Tucker Hospice House, Kannapolis, NC after a short illness. He was born March 14, 1933 in Cabarrus County, NC, the son of the late Jacob Bruce Russ and Lela Harrington Russ. He was employed with Cabarrus Construction Company, Concord, NC for many years until his retirement. He was an active member of Eastwood Baptist Church, Kannapolis, NC where he had served as head trustee of the church, the brotherhood, & various phases of church activities. He enjoyed making annual fishing trips to Topsail Island with members of the church. In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his wife, Joanne Carol Upright Russ, who died October 10, 2006; a daughter, Debra Tipton; his sisters, Jewel Coley, Marilyn Mullis, and Doris Porter. The funeral service will be 2:00 P.M. Thursday, October 15, 2009 at Eastwood Baptist Church, Kannapolis, NC officiated by Rev. Randall Ritchie. His body will lie in state one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Carolina Memorial Park, Kannapolis, NC. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at Whitley's Funeral Home. The family will be at the home of his brother, Neal Russ, 1019 Central Drive, Concord, NC the remainder of the time. Survivors include two sons, Timothy Russ & wife, Debbie of Sumter, SC and Mark Douglas Russ of Kannapolis, NC; one sister, Juanita Hartsell of Concord, NC; one brother, Neal Russ & wife, Sarah of Concord, NC; grandchildren, Ashley Chapman & husband, Kyle of Rock Hill, SC, Marie Russ & boyfriend, David King of Hendersonville, NC, and five other grandchildren; great-grandchildren, Anna Banks Chapman and two other great-grandchildren Memorials may be made to Eastwood Baptist Church, 320 Cook Street, Kannapolis, NC 28083 OR Hospice & Palliative Care of Cabarrus County, 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081. On-line condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com. Whitley's Funeral Home, 1748 Dale Earnhardt Blvd., Kannapolis, NC 28081 (704) 933-2222/ (704) 938-9815 FAX
Visitation: 6:00 to 8:00 pm, Wednesday, October 14, at Whitley's Funeral Home

Service: 2:00 pm, Thursday, October 15, at Eastwood Baptist Church

Interment: Carolina Memorial Park