Ray Russell - Autobiography

When I left high school I went to EMJC and played football under Coach Bull Sullivan. I thought Coach Owens was tough but he didn’t hold a candle to coach Sullivan who kept the skull of a Japanese soldier killed in WWII on his desk. When I left EMJC I enrolled in Mississippi College in Clinton and played football there. Was a member of the “M” Club and active in campus activities. I joined the marines in 1962, while at MC and served in the active reserve as a Sergeant. I was assigned to an OCC class and ordered to Quantico Va. to complete my officers training upon graduation. Due to a knee injury my senior year, I received a medical release from the Marine Corps. I had intended to make the military my career but God had other plans for my life.

I met my wife to be, Linda, at MC in 1963 and we were married in 1964. We will celebrate 44 years of marriage this year. God blessed us with 3 wonderful girls who grew up to be Godly women who have all married and given us 7 grandchildren, 4 girls and 3 boys. Numbers 6 & 7 were twins, a boy and a girl, who are now 6 months old living in Tampa.

I worked for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama for 32 and a half years and retired in 2000. I have served churches in Mississippi and Alabama for over 38 years as a bi-vocational minister of youth and music. Since I have aged out of youth work, I am serving as Minister of music and administration at First Baptist Church of Irondale.

I stayed active in athletics through officiating football in high school, college and in the professional World football league. My claim to fame is two broken bones in my right knee given to me on ABC TV in 1983 by Cornelius Bennett at the Alabama Auburn Game. I was blind sided while dodging Lionel James, the Auburn Running Back. The incident was televised and made the T.V. athletic “Bloopers” for several years following the painful encounter. Cornelius, nicknamed Biscuit autographed my print of him sacking the Notre Dame QB and I related to the pain the QB went through.

I remember the Tupelo game my senior year when the rain and wind blew so hard the umpire had to hold the ball to keep it from floating away before each play. Following the game we were Elvis Presley’s guests at the Tupelo county fair. I warmed my end of the bench admirably but was soaked clear through.

I look forward to visiting and renewing old friendships at the reunion.

Ray Russell