"Russell Wright from Lincoln Heights" was a true Zone 15 man. He absolutely loved identifying himself in this way! He was always joking, laughing, smiling or getting on someone's case!

Russell was born on February 14, 1944 to the union of Mabel Whitt Wright and Shelby "Jack' Wright in Cincinnati, Ohio. Russell departed his earthly life on December 24, 2024. He is already greatly missed and leaves a void in the lives he touched. He loved all types of music and loved to play it loud! He was a great dancer and also tried being a street corner singer on Steffens in the Zone in the early days with Wee Wille (Sonny) and Marshall Williams (Fold) and his brother Kenny Phillips.

As a child and young man, Russell attended Lincoln Heights Baptist Church on Byrd Street with his mother Mabel Wright and his siblings.

Russell attended Lincoln Heights Elementary and High School. He later worked at National Distillers and Jim Beam until he retired in February 2006 after 40 years of service. He had a beautiful wealth of friends and associates during his employment. Most of his co-workers and friends knew that if Russell was around, you would always laugh. His sense of humor and love for his family remains in and with us.

Russell leaves to mourn his passing: his wife of 50 years (together 57 years), Deloise Rice Wright who was his stalwart caregiver and support in health and during his illness. He also leaves behind his children: Adrienna Streeter, Russell Wright, Jr., William Shelby Clark, Sammie Young and Lowanda Wright (affectionately known as Mook). Lawanda also actively participated in his caregiving during his illness. His siblings deeply miss his frequent visits: Diane Shelton, Lisa Thompson, Gregory Wright, Julie Wright, Helena Renee (Donald) Jackson and Bruce Wright.  He also leaves to mourn seven grandchildren, nine great­grandchildren, seven great great-grandchildren, as well as a host of loving family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father Mabel and Shelby Jack Wright; siblings, Dorothy Pepper, Shirley Wright and Kenny Phillips; in-­laws, Matthew Rice, Jr., Tommie Rice, Edna Jean Perkins and Gerone Rice.

Special thanks to those close friends who kept in touch with him which includes: Nicholas "Nick", Conley "Butch" Scott, Wee Willie Williams, Joe Rivers, Reverend Edward Cook and Tony Harris.