Obituary of Claude E. Russell

CLAUDE  E.  RUSSELL

Kingsport-  Kingsport City’s most famous barber, Claude Russell, entered into eternal rest on Wednesday night (July 4, 2018) at his home.  He was born in Hawkins County and had lived in Surgoinsville the majority of his life.  Claude was a graduate of Surgoinsville High School in 1959 and graduated from Tri-City Barbering School in 1963.  In 1963, he began his successful career in Kingsport opening Claude Russell’s Barber and Hair Styling Shop.  He belonged to the Rogersville Overton Lodge # 5  F & AM  for over 40 years and was a Jericho Shriner for over 38 years.  Claude proudly served with the Surgoinsville Volunteer Fire Department for 25 years and also served on the Hawkins County EMS Board for 10 years and was a member of the Hawkins County Rescue Squad.  In 2013, the City of Kingsport presented Claude with a key to the city for his dedicated service throughout the years with Kingsport.  He also received a proclamation from the State of Tennessee recognizing him with the honor of being a “Top 10 Barbershop” in America.  He was of the Baptist faith. Claude truly loved to spoil his grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Sue Brooks Russell; his parents, Rev. T.R. Russell and Daisy Russell; his infant great-grandson, Jacob Matthew Light; brothers, Earl, Emory, Carl, Dewey, Newt, and  Ralph Russell; his sister, Effie Greer.

Claude Russell is survived by his loving wife, Jane Hartsock Russell; his daughter, Tammy Linkous; two grandchildren, Dustin Light and Shoshana Linkous; great-grandchildren, Joseph, Selena, and Alyssa; a step-daughter, Penny Pearce and husband, Jeff; grandchildren, Brittany Pearce and Logan Pearce; his brother and colleague, Ken Russell along with a host of friends. 

A visitation will be held on Saturday (July 7, 2018) from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Carter-Trent Funeral Home, downtown Kingsport.  A Masonic service will be conducted at 5:45 p.m. on Saturday (July 7, 2018)   A funeral service will be conducted on Saturday (July 7, 2018) at 6 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Jack Edwards, Pastor Jerry Musick, and Rev. Mike Malone, officiating.  Music will be provided by Robin Greer.  A graveside service will take place on Sunday (July 8, 2018) at 2 p.m. at Hawkins County Memorial Gardens with family and friends serving as pallbearers.  Family and friends attending the graveside service are asked to meet at the funeral home by 12:45 p.m. to go in procession. 

You can send an online condolence to the family by visiting www.cartertrent.com. 

Carter-Trent Funeral Home, downtown Kingsport is serving the Russell family.