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Russell Lee Heard, age 55, of Bainbridge, Georgia, passed away Wednesday, July 6, 2022.

The Funeral Service was held at 3:00 pm on Sunday, July 10, 2022, at Southwest Baptist Church with Pastor Stanley Phillips officiating.  The family received friends from 2:00 to 3:00 pm before the service.  Interment was at Bethany Baptist Church Cemetery with Wayne Holcombe, Ricky Faircloth, Tad Kelley, Donnie Jones, David Tinsley, Brian Jones, Daniel Humphrey, Dee Brock serving as active pallbearers.

Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.iveyfuneral.com.

Russell was born June 14, 1967, in Thomasville, Georgia.  He was the fifth blue-eyed boy born to Julius Carlton Heard and Betty Sue Grady Heard, the baby of the family.  He graduated from Bainbridge High School with the class of 1986 and later attended Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science.

Russell loved his family, and his family loved a good fish fry.  They got together often and were known to include friends and share with the neighbors.  He loved fishing, netting, racing drag boats, and anything else the Flint River, Lake Seminole, and Spring Creek had to offer.  He had such a big heart and would do anything for anybody.  And could fix or repair anything that came his way.  He loved playing jokes and having a good time.  If you were around Russell, you would be laughing at all times.  He had a way of calling Ivy and knew exactly what to say to bring a smile to her face or make her laugh out loud and did so often.

His two dogs, Ruby Lee and Oreo, were his pride and joy.  He also was an avid Georgia fan and loved cheering on the Bulldogs.

If you knew Russell, you heard him say:  Have you Heard & Come on.  His two favorite sayings.

Survivors include wife, Carol Lee Heard; daughter, Ivy Lee Merriman (Brian) of Tallahassee, Fla.; one granddaughter on the way, Harper Lee; brothers, Rodney Heard (Lynn), Dale Heard, and Trent Heard (Penny); sister-in-law, Delores Heard; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Russell was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Susan Heard; and brother, Carey Heard.