Dr. Russell was born Manley Holland Russell on August 2, 1873 in Saline County, Arkansas,
the son of James Thomas and Margaret Muir Russell. Manley Russell attended school in Saline,
County until 1894. At that time he entered the ministry and served the Methodist Church for one year on a trial basis in Camden, Arkansas. In 1895 he decided his true calling was medicine. He entered medical school in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1901 and studied until 1903 when he was licensed by the State Medical Board of Arkansas.
Dr Russell moved to New York City for post graduate work, a surgery internship and medical research. When his internship was completed in 1903, he returned to Arkansas and settled in Star City, approximately fifty miles west of Little Rock.
Star City, a small rural farming community, welcomed Dr. Russell’s practice which filled a great
need for local medical services. Dr. Russell served his community as a true country doctor for 32
years. He always provided his patients medical care at any time of day or night regardless of
weather or holidays. If his patients were unable to pay, they could pay when they were able to or,
at times, paid with their farm products, eggs, meats or vegetables.
During 1903 Dr. Russell met and married Alma Ligon, daughter of William Thomas and Sally
Angeline Shackelford Ligon. Dr. Russell and his wife Alma continued to reside in Star City and
over the years both became leaders in the community.
Dr. Russell ran for Arkansas State Senate in 1903 and was unsuccessful. The word about town
was Dr. Russell’s services as a doctor was more valuable to Star City than serving in the
Arkansas State Senate. He remained active in the community by serving as president of the
school board and held several offices for the medical society both local and state.
He served as Medical Examiner of Woodmen of the World working closely with Dr. Blackwell
and Dr. Clark of Pine Bluff. During his tenure as Medical Examiner Dr. Russell earned an
honorable mention from liquid Peptoinids Pharmaceuticals. In 1975 Dr. Russell was honored
and his biography was presented at the 100th Anniversary Celebration of the Arkansas Medical
Society
In 1905, Dr. Russell was ordained as a Methodist Church Deacon assisting elders during church
services and a teacher for men’s bible study. His other passion was writing. Dr. Russell followed
his passion and wrote a political and medical column for the Arkansas Gazette for several years.
Alma Russell was also very active in the community. She taught music for Star City schools and
held music classes in her home. She played piano for the Methodist Church while Dr. Russell
served as a Deacon. Both Dr. Russell and Mrs. Russell enjoyed working with and spending time
with the community elders and the youth of Star City.
Over the year’s Dr. Russell and Alma’s family grew to nine children, two girls, Angie Margarite
and Edna Kathleen and seven boys, Manley Holland Jr., Allen Ligon, James Thomas, Woodrow
Wilson, Francis Abner, Ross Leon and Harold Douglas. They enjoyed family time and Sundays participating in Methodist Church services.
Dr. Russell passed away in October 25 1935 at the age of 62 and was buried in Star City Heflin
Cemetery. After Dr. Russell’s death Alma and her children relocated to Hawthorne, California.
Alma passed away in 1970 and is buried at Inglewood Cemetery in California.
Both Dr. Russell and Alma loved to spend time with family and community friends. They both
dedicated their lives to helping others, living life to its fullest with dignity and purpose.
Education, serving their communities and helping others has been an important legacy for
Dr. Russell’s family. His children and grandchildren have followed in his and his wife’s beliefs.
Angie Margarite studied general education and was licensed by the State of Arkansas in 1924 as
a teacher.
Edna Kathleen was a Registered nurse. Her two daughters, Cheryl Ann Hollifield, is a professor in higher education, Hope Kathleen Regetti earned a degree in psychology. Her son William
Claude Hollifield is a physician.
M.H. Jr. became the president of Henderson University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. His daughter,
Rita Serebreni is in private practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor and educator.
James Thomas worked for Cotton Belt Railroads. He had two children, James Jr. teaches art and
is an internationally known sculptor in the medium of stainless steel. James Jr. has commissioned
sculptors across the US and Europe. James daughter, J o Ann, is retired from the position of
Senior Station Manager for Hertz Corporation.
Francis Abner was a dental technician and had two children, Marsha Gail Russell is a Licensed
Social Worker and Franz Allan Russell was a hospital administrator.
Harold Douglas coached youth sports and managed real estate. He had three sons; Ross Holland
and John Allan are Spacecraft Technicians for Ball Aerospace and Boeing. Michael Douglas
Russell is a retired Business Unit Asset Manager for Raytheon Corporation and has written a
number of published articles and a book for the National Property Management Association.
Ross Leon served in the U.S. Navy and was injured during the Pearl Harbor attach in 1941. He
later finished his work career at San Diego School District in California.
Woodrow Wilson owned an automotive repair shop in Hawthorne, Califomia and passed away at
the age of thirty six.
Allen Ligon contracted an incurable kidney condition at the age of sixteen and passed away from
his illness.
Dr. Russell had 15 great grandchildren. James Russell Jr. has three children, Brady James, Holly
, Ann and Banny Wayne Russell. Jo Ann Lloyd has two children, Beverly Sue Wilder and Brenda Gay Davis. Rita Serebreni has two children, Tara Ann Lechtenberger and Michael Russell Serebreni. Marsha Gail Russell has one child, Franz Michael Spitzer. Franz Allan Russell had two children, Lindsey Lorene Russell and Michael Allan Russell. Hope Kathleen Regetti has two children, Tara Kathleen Regetti and Rex Christian Regetti. John Allen Russell has two children, Cindy Lee Rebensdorf and Christina Louise Russell and Ross Holland Russell has one child, Daniel Roy Russell.
By Michael Douglas Russell, Grandson of Dr. Russell
May 19, 2012