I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course [the race], I have kept the faith: Henceforth [in the future] there is laid up for me a [victor's] crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that [great] day. . . (2 Timothy 4:7-8). Bishop Enoch Samuel (E. S.) Russell, age 97, finished the race in this life on November 18, 2015. He served faithfully in Christian ministry for 82 years in various leadership roles, culminating in the sacred office of Bishop. His race on earth is finished; his legacy lives on – a victor's crown awaits!
Getting Started ~His Family~ Bishop Enoch Samuel Russell was born to the late Iona Thomas and James Russell in Clarendon, Jamaica, on October 10, 1918. At the age of 27 he blissfully wedded a young lady who caught his attention months earlier, and who he could not get out of his mind after visiting the home of her parents. Consequently, Bishop E. S. Russell (then a church Deacon) was joined in holy matrimony to Evangelist Louise A. Russell (then a faithful young lady) on June 10, 1945. The marriage spanned 69 years. The union produced a first-born son, Bishop Dr. Lloyd E. Russell, who followed his dad's footsteps and became a Pastor. The happy couple was blessed with a family of six- three boys and three girls. Bishop E. S. Russell cherished, protected and treasured his family. In order to provide for his family, he began his travels to the USA in the 1940s as one of the Jamaican agricultural worker imported temporarily by the War Food Administration, Office of Labor. Along with Evangelist Louise A. Russell, they built a strong and stable home environment. They instilled in their children a strong spiritual base; prayer was a constant home companion. Together, they nurtured and raised their children to be people with a solid moral compass, confident and independent thinkers. Bishop E. S. and Evangelist Louise A. Russell were the ultimate dream builders and caretakers of the family, which extended beyond their biological children; anyone in need of support found a safe and welcome haven with them.
Years of Service ~The Ministry~ At age 15, Bishop Enoch Samuel Russell made a personal commitment to the Lord. That was the beginning of a call fulfilled and a faithful journey into pastoral ministry that touched countless lives across the Island of Jamaica, USA, Canada and the United Kingdom. He had a passion for church leadership and most important a passion for service to others. An inscription written in his bible reads, "You cannot love God and not love the people." He lived his calling and personified Apostle Paul's teaching in 2 Timothy 2:15 - Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Bishop Enoch Samuel Russell entered into church leadership as a Deacon, was elevated to Minister and Elder and then to the sacred office of Bishop. He planted several churches including the Mount Zion Apostolic Church in Clarendon, Jamaica, which served as headquarters for the remaining churches under his oversight. He also served as vice chairman of the Churches of God in Christ Jesus Apostolic, Jamaica, and nationally on the Governing Board of the Churches of God in Christ Jesus Apostolic, Inc., founded by the late Bishop Randolph A. (R. A.) Carr (1895-1970). Bishop R. A. Carr was the first presiding prelate of the Churches of God In Christ Jesus, Apostolic, Inc. denomination and founder of Rehoboth Church of God in Christ Jesus, Apostolic of Baltimore, Maryland. Bishop E. S. Russell was an active member of the organization and was sent by Bishop R. A. Carr to preach in many churches in the USA, United Kingdom and Jamaica. Bishop E. S. Russell served in his final years as Senior Bishop under the banner of Victorious Apostolic Churches Inc. with presiding prelate, Bishop Dr. Raymond L. Berger Sr. of Waterbury, Connecticut, who remains a close personal friend of Bishop E. S. Russell. Bishop Dr. Raymond L. Berger was with him regularly during his closing days.
Bishop Enoch Samuel Russell worked tirelessly in overseeing the churches under his oversight, and serving in the affiliated organizations. In Jamaica, he traveled over rough terrains, using various forms of transportation to nurture and grow the people under his care. In doing so he also became a community icon. He was called to attend to the sick of the community, mediate disputes, and address civic events. He stood ready, night and day to serve.
Bishop Enoch Samuel Russell's commitment to his ministry was unquestioned. He studied the Holy Scriptures; he preached with deep passion; he lived with integrity. Additionally, he esteemed enthusiastic worship and he enjoyed singing; he rarely preached a sermon without first singing one of his favorite songs, which included - Peace in the Valley, Precious Lord Take My Hand, This World Is Not My Home, When I Make The Last Move. He mentored and coached many who planted their own ministries internationally. Living by the scriptures and church doctrine were nonnegotiable. He practiced what he preached. He served faithfully and now rests from all his labors.
Bishop Enoch Samuel Russell is survived by his sons Bishop Dr. Lloyd E. Russell, Samuel E. Russell and Delroy A. Russell; his daughters Jennifer D. McFarlane, Maisie E. T. Russell and Charlene M. Russell-Tucker; his grandchildren Kevin Russell, Kadian and husband Delroy Forbes, Nicole McFarlane and LaCora Madden; his sons-in-law Reverend Harris D. McFarlane and Reverend J. Richard Tucker; his daughters-in-law Elder Lisda Russell and Elaine Thompson-Russell; his brother-in-law Reverend Devril J. Newell and his wife Evangelist Patricia Newell who reside in the United Kingdom; and his six great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife, Evangelist Louise A. Russell (transitioned 4/4/15); and his parents, Iona Thomas and James Russell.
Bishop Enoch Samuel Russell will be memorialized in a service on December 4, 2015, at Pentecostal Tabernacle Apostolic Church, 249 Newfield Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut. Calling hours are from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The service begins at 6:00 p.m. Interment will take place at the Cedar Hill Cemetery, 453 Fairfield Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut at 10:30 a.m. on December 5, 2015, beginning with a funeral procession from the Pentecostal Tabernacle Church at 10:00 a.m. Carmon Windsor Funeral Home (www.carmonfuneralhome.com) was entrusted by the family with funeral arrangements. Memories Management LLC (www.memoriesmgmt.com) captured and preserved the legacy of Bishop Enoch Samuel Russell.
Evangelist Louise A. Russell
A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman—far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls (Proverbs 31:10). Evangelist Louise A. Russell, 92, was called to be with the Lord on April 4, 2015. She leaves a legacy that lives on through her family and every life she has impacted in her years of service on this earth.
Evangelist Louise A. Russell was born to the late Edward Newell and Amanda Beecher Newell in Clarendon, Jamaica on March 23, 1923. At age 22 she married her friend and was immediately immersed in church ministry that would span her 69 years of marriage to Bishop Enoch Samuel Russell. They were married on June 10, 1945. Being married to a Pastor of several churches involved in an international church organization, Evangelist Louise A. Russell assumed several roles as the active and vibrant pastor's wife and minister. She served as the hospitality leader, choir director, counselor, overall role model and a strong partner in the business and social service affairs of the church and community.
Evangelist Louise A. Russell was blessed with a large and loving family of which she was the true matriarch. She raised her six children with patience, discipline and strong spiritual compass. She taught them to be confident and independent thinkers, to have a strong work ethic and to strive for excellence in whatever they do. From the very beginning, she dedicated all her children to God, taught them to pray and encouraged them to put God first in their lives, leading her eldest son, Bishop Dr. Lloyd E. Russell to follow in his dad's footsteps to become a pastor.
Evangelist Louise A. Russell was the epitome of the woman defined in scripture, Proverbs 31, as the virtuous woman. She was savvy in business; she exuded confidence and an impeccable character; she gave of her time and resources to everyone in need; she was a guardian of her family members by making sure they were well cared for and smartly dressed; she gave wise council and always had time to answer a question or solve a problem, no matter how small. She was the best mother and wife; she was too busy to engage in idle chatter, and most important she was a worshiper; she loved the Lord. Many daughters have done virtuously, nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness], but you excel them all (Proverbs 31:29).
Evangelist Louise A. Russell is survived by her husband, Bishop Enoch Samuel Russell; her sons Bishop Dr. Lloyd E. Russell, Samuel E. Russell and Delroy A. Russell; her daughters Jennifer D. McFarlane, Maisie E.T. Russell and Charlene M. Russell-Tucker; her grandchildren Kevin Russell, Kadian and husband Delroy Forbes, Nicole McFarlane and LaCora Madden; her sons-in-law Reverend D. McFarlane and Reverend J. Richard Tucker; her daughters-in-law Evangelist Lisda Russell and Elaine Thompson-Russell; her brother Reverend Devril J. Newell and his wife Evangelist Patricia Newell who reside in the United Kingdom; her six great grandchildren; her nieces, Ruth May of Canada, Panceta Williams of Jamaica, Louise Reid of Florida, Clare Witter of Jamaica, Madge Ellis of Jamaica and nephews, Sebert Williams, John and George Bell of Jamaica and other relatives. She is preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Rosetta May, Mary Bell and Doris Bell; and her brothers, Thaddeus Williams, and Edward Newell. The Mount Zion Apostolic Church family, Clarendon, Jamaica, under the leadership of Elder Errol Grey will also miss Evangelist Louise A. Russell.
Evangelist Louise A. Russell will be memorialized in a service on April 17, 2015, at Pentecostal Tabernacle Apostolic Church, 249 Newfield Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut. Calling hours will be 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The service will begin at 7:00 p.m. Interment will take place at the Cedar Hill Cemetery, 453 Fairfield Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut at 10:30 a.m. on April 18, 2015, beginning with procession from the Pentecostal Tabernacle Church at 10:00 a.m. The family gratefully declines flowers and instead will accept contributions for the Newfield Community Empowerment & Enrichment Campus (NCEEC) being developed to bring help, hope and opportunity to the Greater Hartford community. Contributions can be made to NCEEC, P.O. Box 320009, Hartford, CT. 06132-0009 (www.nnceec.org).
