Eddie Dillard remembered Atlanta business icon Herman J. Russell as a friendly and inspiring boss who could also be demanding and didn’t suffer fools easily.
“He expected the best from you and that made you work better,” said Dillard, who once saw Russell walk out of a meeting with an employee who had failed to coherently explain his ideas. “He would say, ‘Every minute of my time is dedicated to someone so don’t waste my time.”
Dillard, who worked property management for 18 years for Russell’s company H.J. Russell & Co., was part of a steady stream of visitors Friday at Ebenezer Baptist Church for a public viewing of the late entrepreneur. Russell, whose construction business helped shape Atlanta’s skyline, died Saturday at the age of 83.
Atlantan Clara Bradford described Russell as a visionary who didn’t forget his roots, even as he excelled in his field, starting with his first land purchase at 16 for $125.
“He was a philanthropist who helped others,” she said. “He remembered where he came from which makes me feel so proud.”
Bradford’s niece, Sonya Bradford, agreed, adding that he also demonstrated that hard work pays off.
“He took a lot of pride in his work,” she said.” He built his company from the ground up.”
Atlanta City Councilman Kwanzaa Hall lauded Russell for the support he offered to others of which few people knew. He helped families who had little during the holidays, was a strong backer of the Butler Street YMCA and was a mentor to city leaders.
“Mr. Russell was the invisible hand behind so much good in the community,” Hall said. “He is in the class with people like Mr. (Robert) Woodruff, who have really helped to shape modern Atlanta in a way that no one else has.”
A wake for Russell is planned for 6 p.m. today at Ebenezer, with speakers including Sen. Johnny Isakson and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. Funeral services are set for 11 a.m. Saturday at Saint Philip AME Church on Candler Road.
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