Alton Joseph Russell was born January 20, 1940 in New Orleans, Louisiana to Willie Russell Sr. and Leona Wiltz Russell.  He died August 7, 2017 in Dallas, Texas.

Alton attended Walter L. Cohen High School and obtained his Bachelor's Degree in Upper Elementary Education and Sociology from Grambling University.  He had a special calling as a mentor and teacher to the youth of Orleans parish and taught in the New Orleans school district until he retired after 31 years of service. In 2005 after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, Alton relocated to the Dallas/Fort-Worth, TX area where he resided until the time of his death.  While living in Texas, Alton remained committed to his passion for teaching and found ways to stay connected by instructing and sharing through volunteerism.   He was an active participant in several senior citizen centers, most recently the Senior Center at Concord Baptist Church in Dallas, TX.  There he was a familiar face and always willing to share his many talents.

He is proceeded in death by his parents Willie Sr. and Leona Russell, his wife Rita Bergeron and son Charlton Russell.  Also proceeding Alton are his sisters Rose Estella Jiles, Mary Louise Rosemond-Kennedy and brother Lawrence Russell, Sr.

He is survived by his grandchildren Marley Russell and Bryce Laurent.  Brother Willie Russell (Vivian), sister Annabell Moody and brother- in- law Essie Dell Jiles.  He leaves a host of nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, cousins and friends to mourn him.