John "Russell" Mumford

John "Russell" Mumford, 82, of Hardeeville, SC passed away Thursday, January 23, 2020 at Coastal Carolina Hospital in Hardeeville.

Russell was born April 25, 1937 in Lyons, GA to the late John Quillan Mumford and Alma Martin Mumford. He started his career as a carpenter in Brunswick, GA, building homes on Sea Island and Jekyll Island. That was where he met his lovely wife, Vyna, and started their family in 1958. They had two beautiful daughters, Glynda and Judy, over the next few years. Job opportunities moved the family to the small town of Bluffton, SC in 1967. Russell then became a beloved builder in the Bluffton-Hilton Head area through the years. During his early years in Bluffton, he became a Bluffton Police Officer and was later appointed Chief by then mayor, Grady Messex.

In 1973, Russell moved back into the construction business. His many projects included wooden bridges built in Moss Creek, homes on Hilton Head Island and in Bluffton, and marine construction projects. He even built a church in Savannah, GA, where his family attended. In his later years, he began to do more fill dirt grading projects on his Bobcat tractor. Because of this, he was affectionately known in the building community as “The Bobcat Man.” He will be truly missed by his family, friends, and peers.

Russell is survived by his wife of 62 years, Vyna; daughters, Glynda White (David) of Bluffton and Judy Wright (Tim) of Hilton Head Island; three grandchildren, Charles Pagnini, Jr., Toi Frantz, David “Bubba” White; step grandson, Dallas Wright; five great-grandchildren, Bailey Pagnini, Kelsey Pagnini, Quillan White, Destiny White, and Caleb Frantz; sisters, Trish Palmer (Chip) of Brunswick, GA; Wynette Cherry (Murray) of Bowling Green, KY, Sue Johnson on Nahunta, GA, and Linda Durden (Ray) of Brunswick, GA. In addition to his parents, Russell was preceded in death by his brothers, Joseph Mumford and Donald Mumford.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, Monday, January 27, 2020 at Sauls Funeral Home, 90 Simmonsville Rd, Bluffton with burial to follow in Bluffton Cemetery. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:30 am until the hour of the service at the funeral home.

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