Photos: Herman J. Russell memorialized

Business

Photos: Herman J. Russell memorialized

Scenes from the wake for Atlanta builder and civil rights leader Herman J. Russell at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Nov. 21, 2014.

NOVEMBER 21, 2014 ATLANTA Donata Russell Major speaks during the wake for her father, Atlanta builder and civil rights leader Herman J. Russell, at Ebenezer Baptist Church Friday, November 21, 2014. Russell, whose construction business helped shape Atlanta's skyline, died Saturday at the age of 83. KENT D. JOHNSON/KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM

U.S. Rep. David Scott offers remarks during the wake for Atlanta builder and civil rights leader Herman J. Russell at Ebenezer Baptist Church Friday, Nov. 21, 2014. KENT D. JOHNSON/KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM

An attendee looks at the program during the wake for Atlanta builder and civil rights leader Herman J. Russell at Ebenezer Baptist Church Friday, Nov. 21, 2014. Among speakers scheduled were Congressman John Lewis, Congressman David Scott, and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. The Rev. Jesse Jackson and Gov. Nathan Deal and his wife Sandra, also attended the service. KENT D. JOHNSON/KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM

The lower level of the sanctuary is full during the wake for Atlanta builder and civil rights leader Herman J. Russell at Ebenezer Baptist Church Friday, Nov. 21, 2014. KENT D. JOHNSON/KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed gives remarks during the wake for Atlanta builder and civil rights leader Herman J. Russell at Ebenezer Baptist Church Friday, Nov. 21, 2014. Among speakers were U.S. Reps. John Lewis, and David Scott, and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. The Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr and Governor Nathan Deal and his wife Sandra also attended the service. KENT D. JOHNSON/KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed gets emotional as he gives remarks during the wake for Atlanta builder and civil rights leader Herman J. Russell at Ebenezer Baptist Church on Nov. 21, 2014. mong speakers were U.S. Reps. John Lewis, and David Scott, and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. The Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr and Governor Nathan Deal and his wife Sandra also attended the service. KENT D. JOHNSON/KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM

Members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity hold a memorial service before the wake for Atlanta builder and civil rights leader Herman J. Russell at Ebenezer Baptist Church Friday, November 21, 2014. Among speakers scheduled were Congressman John Lewis, Congressman David Scott, and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. The Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr and Governor Nathan Deal and his wife Sandra, also attended the service. KENT D. JOHNSON/KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM

Gov. Nathan Deal and his wife, Sandra attend the wake for Atlanta builder and civil rights leader Herman J. Russell at Ebenezer Baptist Church Friday, November 21, 2014. Among speakers scheduled were Congressman John Lewis, Congressman David Scott, and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. The Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr also attended the service. KENT D. JOHNSON/KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM

Gov. Nathan Deal and his wife Sandra attend the wake for Atlanta builder and civil rights leader Herman J. Russell at Ebenezer Baptist Church Friday, November 21, 2014. Among speakers scheduled were Congressman John Lewis, Congressman David Scott, and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. The Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr also attended the service. KENT D. JOHNSON/KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM

The Rev. Jesse Jackson attends the wake for Atlanta builder and civil rights leader Herman J. Russell at Ebenezer Baptist Church Friday, November 21, 2014. Among speakers scheduled were Congressman John Lewis, Congressman David Scott, and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. The Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr and Governor Nathan Deal and his wife Sandra, also attended the service. KENT D. JOHNSON/KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM

The Rev. Raphael Warnock, pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, leads the Call to Remembrance during the service. Wake for Atlanta builder and civil rights leader Herman J. Russell at Ebenezer Baptist Church Friday, November 21, 2014. Among speakers scheduled were Congressman John Lewis, Congressman David Scott, and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. The Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr and Governor Nathan Deal and his wife Sandra, also attended the service. KENT D. JOHNSON/KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM

The Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr attends the wake for Atlanta builder and civil rights leader Herman J. Russell at Ebenezer Baptist Church Friday, November 21, 2014. Among speakers scheduled were Congressman John Lewis, Congressman David Scott, and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. Governor Nathan Deal and his wife Sandra, also attended the service. KENT D. JOHNSON/KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM

The Rev. Jesse Jackson attends the wake for Atlanta builder and civil rights leader Herman J. Russell at Ebenezer Baptist Church Friday, November 21, 2014. Among speakers scheduled were Congressman John Lewis, Congressman David Scott, and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. Governor Nathan Deal and his wife Sandra, also attended the service. KENT D. JOHNSON/KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM

Suspended DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis and his wife, Philippa, attend the wake for Atlanta builder and civil rights leader Herman J. Russell at Ebenezer Baptist Church Friday, November 21, 2014. KENT D. JOHNSON/KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM

U.S. Rep. John Lewis (center), Mayor Kasim Reed, and family friend Claude Rickman (right) wait to give remarks during the service. KENT D. JOHNSON/KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM

Saxophone player Trey Daniels plays a tribute during the service. Wake for Atlanta builder and civil rights leader Herman J. Russell at Ebenezer Baptist Church Friday, November 21, 2014. Among speakers scheduled were U.S. Reps. John Lewis, and David Scott, and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. The Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. and Gov. Nathan Deal and his wife Sandra, also attended the service. KENT D. JOHNSON/KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM

Saxophone player Trey Daniels plays a tribute during the service. Wake for Atlanta builder and civil rights leader Herman J. Russell at Ebenezer Baptist Church Friday, November 21, 2014. Among speakers scheduled were U.S. Reps. John Lewis and David Scott, and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. The Rev. Jesse Jackson and Gov. Nathan Deal and his wife Sandra also attended the service. KENT D. JOHNSON/KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM

U.S. Rep. John Lewis offers a tribute during the service. Wake for Atlanta builder and civil rights leader Herman J. Russell at Ebenezer Baptist Church Friday, November 21, 2014. Among speakers scheduled were Congressman John Lewis, Congressman David Scott, and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. The Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr and Governor Nathan Deal and his wife Sandra, also attended the service. KENT D. JOHNSON/KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM

U.S. Rep. John Lewis offers a tribute during the service. Wake for Atlanta builder and civil rights leader Herman J. Russell at Ebenezer Baptist Church Friday, November 21, 2014. Among speakers scheduled were U.S. Reps. John Lewis and David Scott, and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. The Rev. Jesse Jackson and Gov. Nathan Deal and his wife Sandra also attended the service. KENT D. JOHNSON/KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM

U.S. Rep. John Lewis offers a tribute during the service. Wake for Atlanta builder and civil rights leader Herman J. Russell at Ebenezer Baptist Church Friday, November 21, 2014. Among speakers scheduled were U.S. Reps. John Lewis and David Scott, and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. The Rev. Jesse Jackson and Gov. Nathan Deal and his wife Sandra also attended the service. KENT D. JOHNSON/KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM

U.S. Rep. John Lewis offers a tribute during the service. Wake for Atlanta builder and civil rights leader Herman J. Russell at Ebenezer Baptist Church Friday, November 21, 2014. Among speakers scheduled were Congressman John Lewis, Congressman David Scott, and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. The Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr and Governor Nathan Deal and his wife Sandra, also attended the service. KENT D. JOHNSON/KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM

Family members and friends attend the wake for Atlanta builder and civil rights leader Herman J. Russell at Ebenezer Baptist Church Friday, November 21, 2014. Among speakers scheduled were U.S. Reps. John Lewis and David Scott, and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. The Rev. Jesse Jackson and Gov. Nathan Deal and his wife Sandra also attended the service. KENT D. JOHNSON/KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM

U.S. Rep. David Scott offers remarks during the wake for Atlanta builder and civil rights leader Herman J. Russell at Ebenezer Baptist Church Friday, November 21, 2014. Among speakers scheduled were U.S. Reps. John Lewis and David Scott, and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. The Rev. Jesse Jackson and Gov. Nathan Deal and his wife Sandra also attended the service. KENT D. JOHNSON/KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM

U.S. Rep. David Scott offers remarks during the wake for Atlanta builder and civil rights leader Herman J. Russell at Ebenezer Baptist Church Friday, November 21, 2014. Among speakers scheduled were Congressman John Lewis, Congressman David Scott, and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. The Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr and Governor Nathan Deal and his wife Sandra, also attended the service. KENT D. JOHNSON/KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM

NOVEMBER 21, 2014 ATLANTA Donata Russell Major gives a "Thumbs Up" as she gives remarks from the family during the wake for her father, Atlanta builder and civil rights leader Herman J. Russell, at Ebenezer Baptist Church Friday, November 21, 2014. KENT D. JOHNSON/KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM

1/25

NOVEMBER 21, 2014 ATLANTA Donata Russell Major speaks during the wake for her father, Atlanta builder and civil rights leader Herman J. Russell, at Ebenezer Baptist Church Friday, November 21, 2014. Russell, whose construction business helped shape Atlanta's skyline, died Saturday at the age of 83. KENT D. JOHNSON/KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM

Today's Gallery Headlines

Spring Training Day 3 (Thursday)

PHOTOS: Day 3 of Spring Training for Braves

Her Story Art and Food

AJC photos of the month -- January 2026

Spring Training Day 2 (Wednesday)

PHOTOS: Braves settle into day 2 of spring training

Spring Training Day 1

PHOTOS: Braves arrive for spring training