Wilbert Russell was born July 12, 1941, to the late Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Russell, Sr.

Wilbert graduated from Riverside High School in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. He attended Stillman College earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education. After serving in the United States Army from 1967 to 1970, Wilbert continued his education at the University of Alabama earning a Master's Degree in Special Education. He taught in the Tuscaloosa County and Jefferson County school systems, until his retirement.

Wilbert accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior as a child and joined Zion Hope Missionary Baptist Church, where he remained a faithful member until his health failed. He accepted the call to preach later in life and was an interim pastor at Zion Hope Missionary Baptist Church.

Wilbert was a generous and kind man. If anyone was in need, all they had to do was ask. He loved his family and he took special pride in his grandchildren, Taylor and Zachary.

Wilbert has now joined those already gone, including his loving wife, Mary H. Russell; parents, Mr. Charlie and Mrs. Lucy Russell; brothers, Cleveland Russell and Charlie Russell, Jr.; sisters, Octavia Russell and Mattie White; and nephew, Cedric Croom.

Wilbert leaves so many precious memories to: his son, Wilbert DeQuan Russell (Melanie); grandchildren, Taylor and Zachery Russell, both of Charlotte, NC; sister, Ms. Edna R. Croom of Tuscaloosa, AL; Mr. Harvey Russell of Casa Grande, AZ, and Mr. Robert Russell of Antioch, TN; brothers-in-law, Raymond Hobson (Sandra) of North Plainfield, NJ, and Morris Hobson (Willie Mae) Mobile, AL; sisters-in-law, Etta H. Felton of Tuscaloosa, AL; and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.