Joseph Dwight Russell

Joseph Dwight Russell May 12, 1944 – November 11, 2017 Joseph Dwight Russell, MD, of Wilson, died peacefully at his home on Saturday November 11, 2017 with his devoted family by his side. He was 73. The family will receive visitors at the home on Monday evening from 5-7 pm. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday November 14 at First Presbyterian Church in Wilson, NC. There will be a private burial. Dr. Russell was born May 12th, 1944 in Kinston, NC to Norman and Hester (McDaniel) Russell. He spent his childhood in Kinston, New Bern and Winston-Salem and graduated from Grainger High School in Kinston, NC in 1962. Dr. Russell married Sarah Anne Poole on August 19th, 1967. After earning his medical degree and completing his nephrology residency at University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill, he served as a Major in the United States Army Medical Corps at Fort Gordon in Augusta, Georgia. In 1975, he and his family moved to Wilson, NC and he opened his private practice specializing in Internal Medicine and Nephrology. For over 30 years, he invested his time and energy serving the people of eastern North Carolina by making significant contributions to family health care delivery and starting several dialysis centers to provide treatment for those with end stage renal disease. His medical career can be defined by innovation, integrity, and abundant compassion for his patients and community. In 1993, he was awarded the UNC School of Medicine Distinguished Service Award. Dr. Russell was an avid hunter, fisherman, and animal lover – especially dogs. Dr. Russell is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sarah Anne Poole Russell; his daughters Stephanie Blythe Russell Bacon (John) and Meredith Leigh Russell Exum (Manning); and grandchildren Blythe and Rose Bacon and Russell and Ruth Exum; his brother Stephen McDaniel Russell (Betty); his nieces, Greer Russell Clemmons (Toby), Cheryl Russell, and Natalie Russell Dunham (Aaron); his nephew, Stephen McDaniel Russell, Jr. (Teresa); and three great nieces Shelby, Catherine, and Della and great nephew Mac. He was preceded in death by his parents Norman and Hester Russell and his brother Norman Elwood Russell, Jr. and his niece, Norma Russell. Flowers should be sent to Joyner’s Funeral Home in Wilson. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to any of the following: First Presbyterian Church, Wilson or the Church of your choice; Hester McDaniel Russell Endowment Fund at Barton College (in memory and honor of caregivers); UNC Kidney Center, Chapel Hill; Lineberger Cancer Center or North Carolina Cancer Hospital Patient and Family Support Program, Chapel Hill; and For the Love of Dogs Inc. Dog Rescue and Adoption, Wilson. Condolences may be directed to Joyner’s Funeral Home at www.joyners.net.