CMT News

Garth Brooks and Brad Paisley will be active pallbearers when Grand Ole Opry star Johnny Russell is laid to rest on Friday (July 6). Russell presided over Brooks' induction into the Opry cast. Also assisting will be other members of Russell's Opry family -- Jim Ed Brown, Billy Walker, Porter Wagoner, Jack Greene and Little Jimmy Dickens. Honorary pallbearers will be Little David Wilkins, songwriter Dickey Lee and members of the Grand Ole Opry. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. CT Friday at the Grand Ole Opry House. Russell's survivors include his son, John (Terry) Russell of Nashville; daughter, Julie (Glenn) Morris of Hendersonville; four grandchildren; three great grandchildren; brother, Michael Russell of San Diego, Calif.; and sisters, Patsy Yelton of Murfreesboro and June Bingham of Arizona. Memorial contributions may be made to the Johnny Russell Scholarship Fund, Attn: John Russell, 216 Centerview Drive, Suite 311, Brentwood, TN 37027. 07/05/01