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Russell Steven Wood, 62, of Columbus, Georgia passed away on February 10, 2022.
A graveside service will be held at 2:30pm, Saturday, February 19th, 2022 at Lakeview Memory Gardens in Phenix City, Alabama. A visitation will be held at 3:30 pm on the same day at 6209 Brooklett Drive, Columbus, Georgia 31909.
Mr. Wood was born on November 7, 1959 in Columbus, Georgia.
Rusty was a dedicated and loving son, brother, father, grandfather and friend. His award winning professional career in television spanned over two decades and afforded him many opportunities to express his creativity. Rusty was a prolific singer songwriter, having amassed a catalog of over 600 songs. His most beloved songs were those he wrote for his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
He was preceded in death by his parents Jerry Wallace and Margaret Ann Wood, both of Columbus, Georgia.
He is survived by his son; Andrew (Miranda) Wood, granddaughter; Adelaide Wood, brother; Kerry (Yumi Umi) Wood, niece; Rebecca Wood, nephew; AJ Wood, and uncle; Thomas (Marcia) Slay.
The family is being assisted by Georgia Cremation, 7500 Veterans Parkway, Suite A, Columbus, Georgia 31909. The family invites you to leave a condolence or share a fond memory below.
Charles murphy says
Rusty and Kerry are family to me.
I met kerry when I was 13 , we played baseball together,. My oldest brother Keith murphy was couch. Several years latter I met rusty . Rusty , the founding member of main street express… ask me to be the bass guitar player for the band ( late 1978…79). years to follow we enjoyed songs, laughter, many good times.
Rusty was filled with ideas , and another new song was just around the corner.
My you fly high on that mountain my brother! You will be missed by many ! No goodbye., just latter my friend. I will see you in that land of glory.
Charlie.
Charles e. Murphy.
John Kennedy says
It was a chance meeting that I met Rusty through Charlie Murphy’s invite one weekend at his house in 1983.
Charlie played guitar and something we both talked about while working at South East Canners, Pepsi bottling plant.
I brought my guitar that evening and we must have played for hours honing in a new song called ‘It’s Alright’.
Long story short, the wives that evening; Vicki w/ Rusty, Rita w/Charlie and Barbara w/me got to know one another while the 3 of us jammed the night away.
We all kept in touch through the 80’s
but life kinda happened and we sort of went in different directions.
However, Rusty remained true to his music and became a professional performer and played gigs thru-out the area. He had a massive repertoire of original songs and cover tunes as well.
What could have been, musically speaking, for the 3 of us combined-is anyone’s guess but I’ll never forget how a chance meeting, so many years ago has made me thank God, many times that friends really do make a difference in your life, especially when you befriend wonderful people like Rusty.
In closing, my condolences to his family and loved ones.
“May you Rest In Peace” because
“It’s Alright”, you’re now in Heaven.
Steven Sanford says
Rusty and I were 2 of the neighborhood group of youngsters growing up in Cheshire Valley in the mid 1970s. We attended Arnold Middle School together and he was one of 3 kids in school who had already developed a beard and mustache. He was far more mature than most of the rest of us and highly intelligent. He was already writing and performing original songs with Bobby Walden, who was one of the other kids with beard and stache
Rusty was creative and very thoughtful and serious. He considered spiritual topics of utmost importance and more than that he had a heart for people. He was my brother Geoffs best friend and though he and I were schoolmates our friendship didn’t develop until we began playing music together. We would meet at my moms house on Ray Drive early each weekday morning and rehearse for countless hours developing a unique sound along with other band mates to become our band “Main Street Express”. He was the father and founder of our group and the driving creative force behind our sound. He was generous with his talent and his sweet spirit. He and Bobby, without hesitation, agreed to perform a sweet memorial at my brothers graveside service after his untimely death in 2003. He played music that he and my brother collaborated on and I am eternally grateful to him for having always been a good and true friend to my brother and for being my friend in that most difficult time in my life. Rusty was a true friend. He always encouraged and spurred the rest of us in the band to create;To write; To revel; in the gift of music. The time we spent together was focused on that one endeavor. To express ourselves through our art. These memories are some of the happiest treasures I possess. The gift of Rusty’s friendship is one that I’ve held in my heart all these decades, and that I will continue to hold until we meet again. My life is richer for having known Russell Steven Wood, and I count our friendship as one of the greatest gifts from God that I’ve been blessed with. Rusty I love you! I Praise God that we met. And that we will see each other again in our Fathers house. What a great day of rejoicing that will be! Yours was a life well lived my friend.
Wanda Bowsher says
Sending our Condolences I’m so sorry to hear this you’re in our prayers and thoughts we love you Andy Wood 🙏❤️🙏
Rebecca Wood says
Rusty was my uncle, but more importantly my friend! He gave me my first blue Jean jacket. He gave me my first harmonica. He was the best uncle any little girl could’ve wanted. While we butted heads at times, he let me get mad and and never said a ugly word back at me! He always called me his beautiful niece. I could talk to him about ANYTHING! He always told me how much he enjoyed my company!! I always hoped he would find the happiness he was looking for. His death has taught me to live like everyday is our last and love and be kind. You never know when it’s the last day. I will miss him always! Till we meet again! 💔
Donna Blalock says
We were Facebook friends. He was a source of peace and comfort to me when I lost my husband a year ago in February during his own struggles. I will miss his messages.