Russell Keith

Russell Lee Keith was born April 6, 1935 in Rison, AR.  He passed peacefully at his home June 28th, 2018.

Russell graduated from Rison High School in 1953 and served in the U.S. Army where he was sent to Signal School.  He was stationed in Asmara, Eritrea, East Africa.  He married Millie Groves on February 3, 1961 in Lake Zurich.  They resided in Crystal Lake, moved to Salisbury, NC for  six years and moved back to Crystal Lake in 1978. Russell was a graduate of Lake Forest College of Management and was employed by the Jewel Tea Company and J.T.'s General Stores for 46 years.  After retirement he worked for Menards for 3 years and drove a Pace bus for 4 years, transporting handicapped from their homes to Pioneer Center in McHenry. Russ helped establish the Jewel Tea Historical Foundation and served as Vice President for many years. He and his loving life partner, Millie, loved to travel and visit family and friends.  They visited many places, including England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Mexico, Jamaica, and across the U.S.

Russell is survived by his loving wife Millie; sons, John of Waukegan, IL and Brian (Amy) of Houston, TX; grandson, Michael of Cary, IL;  granddaughter, Margaret of Scottsdale, AZ; sisters, Nell Jacobs of Rison, AR, and Laurene Ray of Murfreesboro, TN ; and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents Walter and Gracie Keith; brothers, Clarence and Marvin; and sisters, Zelphia (Bill) McClellan, and Aileen Valentine.

Memorial visitation will be 3-7pm, Saturday July 14 at Davenport Family Funeral Home and Crematory, 419 E. Terra Cotta Ave (Route 176), Crystal Lake.  Inurnment will be held in Macedonia Cemetery in Rison, AR.