Russell Yarborough

RUSSELL YARBOROUGH Tupelo - William Russell Yarborough, 82, died on Friday, March 22, 2013, at the North Mississippi Medical Center after a brief illness. He was born on August 21, 1930, in Webster County to William Hubert Yarborough and Willie Bell Latham Yarborough. In 1948, he graduated from Eurpora High School, where he was class president and MVP of the football team. He attended Sunflower Junior College, where he was awarded a football scholarship. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War with the 31st Infantry Division. In 1954 Russell graduated from Mississippi State University with a degree in accounting. At MSU he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. On June 30, 1957, he married his wife Dorothy Jean Russell. Moving to Tupelo in 1959, Russell worked for Blue Cross Blue Shield for 38 years, retiring in 1995. Following his retirement, he established Yarborough Insurance Agency. He was an active member of First United Methodist Church serving as president of the Administrative Board and on various committees. He was a member of Kiwanis Club and served as president of Lee County MSU Alumni Association, and was a past president of the Tupelo Country Club Board. Russell was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He had a passion for golf and was an avid MSU fan. He never met a stranger and one could always count on his friendship. A memorial service celebrating his life will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, March 24, 2013, at The Jefferson Street Chapel of W. E. Pegues with Rev. Jim Curtis officiating. Dr. Benton Hilbun will deliver a Eulogy. He is survived by his wife, Jean; one son, Russell Taylor Yarborough of Tupelo; one daughter, Sarah Elizabeth Yarborough Whalen (Rob) of Memphis, Tennessee; one granddaughter, Sarah Katherine Whalen. He was preceded in death by his parents, one son, William Fenner Yarborough; one brother, Raymond Yarborough; one sister, Mary Thompson. Honorary Pallbearers will be Benton Hilbun, Sr., Len Pegues, Billy Wheeler, Jim Threldkeld, Irvin Prude, Charles McGill, Mickey Holliman, Jerry Clayton, Jerry Hollingsworth, Dick Hill and James Williams. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 23, 2013 and 1 p.m. until service time on Sunday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Helping Hands, First United Methodist Church, 412 W. Main St, Tupelo, MS 38804, The Sanctuary Hospice House, P. O. Box 2177, Tupelo, MS 38803 or to your favorite charity. Expressions of sympathy may be left at www. peguesfuneralhome.com