Rev. Russell Harvey Naron

Reverend Russell H. Naron Sr., of Cantonment, FL died Friday, March 8, 2024, at Covenant Hospice in Pensacola, FL. Born in Vardaman, Mississippi, he graduated high school in Rayville, Louisiana. He went on to attend Louisiana State University, studying veterinary medicine. Russell was a Korean War Veteran, serving in the United States Army as Supply Sargeant, in the “Hell on Wheels” tank division at the Grafenwoehr military base in Germany. After serving his country, Russell found success in the retail business, working for a department store. Russell accepted God’s call to devote his life to preaching the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was ordained as a Southern Baptist minister in 1964. He attended and graduated from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary with an Associate of Divinity in Pastoral Ministries in 1981. His pastoral career included serving many churches in Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee and Virginia. He served for several years on the Southern Baptist Sunday School Board. Most importantly, throughout his career, he witnessed to countless people about Christ’s love and sacrifice on the cross as forgiveness of sin, and of a new life through Christ’s Salvation. He had the joy of presiding over the marriage of many couples, as well as the honor of conducting over 200 funerals throughout his career. He retired from preaching full time in Virginia, spending his retirement years in Cantonment, attending Campus Church at Pensacola Chrisitan in Pensacola, FL. Without a doubt, he will be remembered by the church members he pastored. His accomplishments are evident in the impact he had on numerous individuals he led to the saving knowledge of Christ. In addition to being a life-long servant of Christ, he was a deeply devoted husband to his wife, Clara “Tootsie” Naron. He was a father to seven children, a dedicated son, brother, uncle, and father-in-law. He is survived in death by his wife, Tootsie Naron; his children, Russell “Russ” Naron, Jr. of Biloxi, Deborah Ellen Knepton and son-in law, Howard of Mobile, AL, Spence “Buck” Naron and daughter-in-law, Vickie, of Semmes, AL, Royce W. Naron and Clay E. Naron of Biloxi, Jason T. Naron and daughter-in-law Mary of Alabaster AL, and Heather Naron-Hiller and son-in-law Kevin, of Odessa, FL. Further; and his six grandchildren; and thirteen great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ford Naron and Huldah Ivalee Putnam and his sisters, Patricia McClure, and Edna Earle Brady. Services for Reverend Russell H. Naron will be held Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North. The family will receive friends for visitation from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 pm. Funeral services will begin at 12:00 p.m. with Pastor Joshua Burdick officiating. Rev. Naron will be laid to rest at Biloxi National Cemetery at 11:00am on Thursday, March 28,2024. Honorary Pallbearers include Kevin A Hiller, Justin W. Naron, Lt. William Naron (Navy, active duty), Dylan Naron, David Kleindienst and Jason Waddel. Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements. You may express condolences online at www.fcfhs.com.

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Rev. Russell Harvey Naron

July 5, 1932 - March 8, 2024