Darnell Augustus Russ Sr

Darnell Augustus Russ - known to family and friends as "Russ" - was born on April 13, 1969,

in Chicago, Illinois, to Cynthia Russ and Charles Russ. He passed away on May 24, 2026, at the age

of 57.

A son of Chicago, Darnell attended Wendell Phillips High School before later making his home in

Minnesota. He remained a faithful Chicago Cubs fan through every season.

Darnell was, above all else, a lover and a protector. He loved his brothers fiercely - bonds

that were forged in childhood and only deepened with time. He loved his children with a steady,

watchful kind of love, the kind that doesn't always announce itself but is always present. And he

had a soft spot for dogs - from his beloved Max to his new puppy Lady, the gentleness he showed

them was the same tenderness his family always knew.

Russ was the kind of family member who stood at the front when there was trouble and at the

back when there was joy - making sure everyone he loved was safe, seen, and supported. His

tenderness was real, and his strength was unmistakable. To know him was to know you had

someone in your corner.

He leaves behind his girlfriend, Kayzreona Edwards; his mother, Cynthia Scales (Gregory); his

children, Darnell Augustus Russ Jr., Lavell Russ, Dionta Russ; his grandchildren, Lyric Russ,

Lauryn Russ, Jaxson Russ, and Kamora Russ; his siblings, Eurthia Johnson (Bernard), Michael

Braswell (Pauline), and Lewis Ford Jr. (Vashon); and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and

friends who loved him dearly. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Betty Smith-Russ; his

sons dontrell russ and harold milon (pooh); his father, Charles Russ; and his brothers, William

Russ, Robert Ford, Melvin Braswell Sr., and Darren Russ Sr.

The love russ gave will live on in every person who was lucky enough to call him family. He will

be deeply missed