Joe Donovan Russell, age 74, of Epworth, Ga., died Friday, October 21, 2011, at Northside Hospital in Atlanta, Ga. Mr. Russell was employed by Shaw Industries and attended Damascus Baptist Church.He was born in Polk County, TN on February 9, 1937 to the late James McKinney Russell and Johnnie Margaret Owenby Russell. He was preceded in death by one son, James Darren Russell and one daughter, Regina Gail Davis. He is survived by his wife Rose (Beach) Russell of the home; six daughters, Sandy Nuzzo of Jasper, Ga., Donna Hyatt of Jasper, Ga., Joy Garren Hice of Blue Ridge, Ga., Brenda Gail Worley of Ball Ground, Ga., Lisa Shields and Debbie Plush both of Epworth, Ga.; three sons, Joseph David Russell of Epworth, Ga., Glenn Curtis of Chatsworth, Ga., and Tim Curtis of Blue Ridge, Ga.; three sisters, Carolyn Dillard of Orlando, Fla., Margaret Harper of Canton, Ga., and Loretta Ash of Epworth, Ga.; one brother, Danny Russell of Epworth, Ga., a special grandchild, Daniel Shields, twenty three grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren; many other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, October 24, 2011 from the Akins of Blue Ridge Chapel with Rev. Danny Collis and Rev. Delmar Davenport officiating. Music was by Randy Beach. Pallbearers were Daniel Shields, Jordan Garren, Wesley Osborn, Brandon and Andrew Plush, David Lewis, Avery Hice, and Patrick Curtis. Interment followed in Damascus Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to help defray funeral expenses. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge was in charge of the arrangements. .