Paul Eugene Russell Jr., who died unexpectedly of heart failure on Dec. 30, 2025, at his home in Greenwood, was well known in the community for his keen interest in literature and history. Memorial services will be held Saturday, January 17, 2025, 10:00 AM at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church.

Everyone called Mr. Russell, 72, by his nickname, "Tad." He was retired as a librarian. He had worked at the Greenwood-Leflore Public Library and also at the William Alexander Percy Memorial Library, which is part of Greenville's public library system.

In Greenwood, he spent several years serving customers as a clerk at Turnrow Book Co., and he also had been employed by the former men's clothing store Phil's Squire Shoppe.

Mr. Russell was a supporter of the arts, and among his abiding interests was music of various types. In recent years, he was one of the first to sign up for membership in Greenwood's Hush Puppy Music Co-op.

Born in Nashville, Tennessee, he graduated from Greenville High School. Mr. Russell earned a bachelor's degree from Mississippi State University and a master's degree in library science from Vanderbilt University's Peabody College of Education and Human Development.

He grew up in the United Methodist Church, but he converted to Catholicism as an adult and was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Greenwood.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Barbara Lee McBride Russell and the Rev. Paul Eugene Russell Sr. of Greenwood.

Mr. Russell is survived by his brother and his wife, Steve and Penny Russell, as well as his nephew and his wife, Blaine and Christina Russell of East Flat Rock, North Carolina.