Russell Smith , 70 , of Mount Dora , Fl . passed away Sunday Januar y 27 , 2 0 19 . Russell was born February 18 , 1948 in Brooklyn , N . Y . He was preceded in death by his parents John Smith and Carrie ( Philpot ) Smith .

Russell attended Boys High School . He served in the US Army from October 1967 to October 1970 , after which he worked 3 2 y ears for Con Edison in Brooklyn , N . Y . as a stationary engineer .

Russell and Linda met in Brooklyn , N . Y . where they married and raised their family . The family move to New Jersey where they reside until Russell and Linda retired . In 2001 they moved to Fredericksburg , Va . As Russell began to have health challenges , they decided in 2016 to move to a warmer climate in Mount Dora , Fl .

Russell was a devoted family man . He loved spending time with his family , traveling and relaxing at home ; listening to his favorite jazz artist . He had a great sense of humor and a caring heart .

Russell is survived by his wife of 48 years , Linda G . Smith , daughters Nichelle J . Palmer ( Francis ) and Denise M . Melendez(Mario Cece) ; son Nicholas Smith ( Oksana Katz) ; granddaughters Sahara A . Hill, Karina Katz, and T'Keyah Palmer ; grandsons Luis Melendez and Xavier E . Melendez ; great - grandson J ' sai Kash Johnson ; brothers Albert Smith ( Sophonia ) , Daryl Smith ( Renee ) sister Patricia Smith ; sisters - in - law Glorious Moore and Elsie Dixon ; brother - in - law Alfred Fiel Olton , many other relatives and friends . He was preceded in death by brother Jeffrey Smith . Russell loved and was loved by many . He leaves a host of friends to mourn his loss .

Our family wishes to acknowledge with deep appreciation the many expressions of love , concern and kindness shown to us during this hour of bereavement . May God bless and keep you .