Mr. J. Russell East

The Obituary J. Russell East J. Russell “Junior” East was born in Pinnacle, NC, Sunday, March 31, 1929, to the late James East and Nora (Milner) East. He was one of eleven children raised on a farm. Russell moved to Harrisburg, PA, in his early 20’s where he lived until his passing on Wednesday, May 6, 2015. He never forgot about his home and would visit often especially for his family gatherings every April. He learned the value of work at an early age and continued working into his 70’s. He worked for Bethlehem Steel for many years before he was hired by Halls Motor Transit Company. He retired from Hall’s but wasn’t ready to sit at home. He loved talking with people and took a job working for the State of Pennsylvania in downtown Harrisburg; he left there and worked for Eddie’s Men Clothing where he was celebrated for his twenty years of service. He spoke and with pride of all his children’s accomplishments in their private sector and military careers. Russell was an active and longtime member of the Teamsters Union. He was baptized into the Primitive Baptist faith, enjoyed gardening, western movies, dogs, baseball, and as a young man, he played for the Negro Baseball League in NC. Along with his parents, he is preceded by his children, Jena Y. East and Joslynn L. (East) Stanback; siblings, Thomas, Gladys, Beatrice, Viola, Martha, Frances, Harry and Johnny. He is survived by his children, Larry Graham of GA, Beverly Benton of NC, Anthony English of PA, Stacey East of PA, Russell H. East of VA, Gwendolynn East of VA, and Gloria East of PA; siblings, Helen France and Betty Wellman of NC; several grand-, great grandchildren; close friends, Jimmy Jackson, Eddie Ruth and Norman Brown; God daughter, April Rucker; and a host of other relatives and friends. Lovingly Submitted, The Family A viewing will be held on Wednesday, May 13, 2015, 6 to 8 p.m., at Wallace Funeral Directors. Services will be Saturday, May 16, 2015, at 11 a.m., viewing 10:30 a.m., at France Memorial Primitive Baptist Church, Brown Mountain, NC, burial in church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Humane Society of Harrisburg, 7790 Grayson Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111.

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Mr. J. Russell East

May 6, 2015