Dale Russell

Dale Raynard Russell blessed his mama lrene Russell, with his presence on a freezing Thursday, February 16, 1950 in Tulsa. Oklahoma. His mama loved telling her bright brown-eyed, sandy-haired, caramel-colored boy that he was born blessed. When his family moved from Tulsa to Kansas City, Missouri when he was a baby. Dale soon moved in with his aunt and uncle, Rosalin and Flemon Harris. The couple loved and raise Dale as their own in a Christian household. He loved them so much he called them mama and papa Dale grew up as their only child for the greater part of his life, the Lord blessed Mama Rosalin with two babies, David and Billy. The boys bonded like Three Musketeers, adoring and adventurous. Dale possessed an upbeat, charismatic personality. He got along well with almost everyone. Many years later, Dale experienced the joy of becoming a big broth,2r again. At last, he had a baby sister, Michelle. He was so proud to be Chele's protective big brother.
At an early age, Dale grew in his Christian faith and received baptism at Zion Gove Baptist Church. He loved to sing in the youth choir. He attended school in Kansas City He made friends easily. As a young man. Dale struggled with the temptations that attempted to lure most young men.
In his effort for change, sometime in early 1980, Dale relocated to San Pedro, California. He wanted a new start. He hoped and prayed for the Lord to send him someone to love. In 1981, Dale's prayers were answered when he met the lovely Joyce Jackson. He quickly recognized that God had designed Joyce, especially for him (even though God had not told Joyce yet). He embraced his beloved Joyce as the love of his life. Dale loved sharing with anyone who would listen to his story of how he and Joyce met. On a beautiful summer day, August 28. 1982, God joined Dale and Joyce in holy matrimony that has lasted nearly 44 beautiful years of oneness.
Over the course of Dale's career, he worked for Harbor View House and the United States Post Office Distributions Center in Los Angeles. He faithfully served Martin Marietta in Torrance, CA, until it closed in the late 90’s. Dale loved children, so he and Joyce established Russell's Christian Family Childcare to provide a safe haven for children to thrive for seventeen years in San Pedro, CA. Together, they ministered and poured Jesus into these little souls and their parents.
The birth of their first grandchild, Donald Jr. and Carl IV, filled Dale and Joyce’s hearts with wonderful joy. Donald Jr. lovingly names Dale “Papa”. From then on all of his grandchildren called him Papa. Dale held a special relationship with most of his grandchildren and godchildren. He donned each one with a unique nickname.
If you know anything at all about Dale. you know he maintains a heightened devotion to his Lord Jesus, the Word of God, his beautiful Joyce, and his family. He would stop at nothing to provide and protect them from any harm or hardship. He treasured traveling with his girl and camping under the stars. He liked spending time watching cartoons with his grandchildren and tinkering with gidgets and gadgets. In his spare time, Dale enjoyed listening to smooth jazz, but gospel captured his heart, with some of his favorites being Born Blessed, My God, Won't He Do It, I Won't Complain, God Did It. Trouble In My Way, and His Eye Is On the Sparrow. Dale enjoyed celebrating the Lord at high-praise gospel concerts.
Dale felt a great commitment toward ministry. He joined Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Ambrose Warren, where he immediately accepted the duties of an Adult Sunday School teacher. He loved to worship. He sang in the choir and often led praise and worship. Soon after joining, Reverend Warren appointed Dale as a deacon. Later, Dale received and accepted a calling from God to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and received his preaching license in 1990. Dale studied hard and received his Bachelor's degree in Theology from Reed Christian College. Reverend Dale earned his ordination on August 1, 1993. During 2020, Pastor Dale enrolled at Anderson Theological Christian College, online working on his Masters of Theology.
In 1998, the Lord led Reverend Dale and Joyce to join First Timothy Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend Ricky Williams. Reverend Dale received an appointment as Director of Evangelism. He implemented two programs at the church. For several years, Reverend Dale had Bible Study in his home, where he led multitudes of adults to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior. He also started an Evangelism class with the help of the late Reverend Carilose Lane. To inspire and equip the church members, he initiated the Spiritual Rekindling Retreat at Pinecrest Christian Center in Twin Peaks, CA.
The Lord continued paving the way for the Russells. In 2011, Reverend Dale welcomed the pastorship of Good Faith Missionary Baptist Church. As a senior pastor, Pastor Dale brought his fired-up energy to the service. He loved to cut-a-step and dance like David before the Lord. He continued with his passion for the youth. Pastor Dale believed that a life in Christ should include healthy fun, too. He often organized snow trips to the mountains, skating, and miniature golf for them. He planned overnight shut-ins at the church, encouraging them to courageously live for Christ. Pastor Dale recognized the importance of establishing partnerships with other ministers to meet the needs in the community. He soon welcomed and opened the church doors to Pastor Pasteral and his family to have church services for the Hispanic community. Pastor Dale also partnered with Metro to assist with fundraising opportunities for the church.
Pastor Dale Russell's last sermon at Good Faith was from 1 Corinthians, Chapter 13, titled the "Love Chapter”. He truly loved people, and he wanted them to know and feel his love. Yet, more importantly. he desired for everyone to live by his favorite scripture. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God…” (Matthew 6:33).
As the Good lord sent His angels to escort Reverend Dole Raynard Russell into his eternal rest at the wee hour on August 3, 2024, at 2:02am, with his loving wife, younger brother and grandson at his side, you can hear Pastor Dale say “ You do your best, and when life is over, we will have JOY, JOY,JOY” ”I’m going to tip my crown to the side and lay it down at my Savior’s feet”. Reverend Dale Raynard Russell opened his eyes to behold his Savior, Jesus Christ; his mama and papa, Rosalin and Flemon Harris; his sons, Darrell Sanders and Steven Ashford; his mother-in-law, Peola Henry; his mother Irene Kemp; his many aunts, uncles, and cousins in that eternal glory.
Here honoring and remembering the precious life of Reverend Dale Raynard Russell is his loving and faithful wife, Joyce Russell; his children Dale Sanders (Kiara), William Sanders, Tomeka Russell, Angela (Lena), Winton (Carl), and Donald Ashford Sr. (Juanita); his sister, Michelle Summerville; his brothers, Davis Harris (Cheryl), and Billy Harris; his 25 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, his six godchildren; and a multitude of nieces, nephews and cousins; his many daughters and sons in Christ, just to name a few, Della, Erica and Shirley, Godfrey, Rev. Steve, Derrick, Lee, Steve Johnson: his Good Faith M.B Church Family, and extended family and friends, who will cherish the love, the light, and godly witness of a wonderful man.
Pastor Dale Papa, thank you for loving us and showing us the way of Christ. You’ve done well. Now, get your praise on. We love you and will remember you always.