Russell Thomas Greene

Russell Thomas Greene passed away October 18, 2025 at the age of 91. He was born September 6, 1934 to the late Alpha P. and Ada G. Greene.

Rusty Greene lived life with purpose, passion, and plenty of conversation. He loved the outdoors and could often be found hunting quail or deer, or casting a line for crappie and bream. Rusty also had a lifelong gift for fixing things—especially small engines. For more than 60 years, if it had a motor, Rusty could make it run again. Lawnmowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, weed eaters—he could repair them all, and usually faster than anyone else could figure out what was wrong.

A proud fan of the New York Yankees and Alabama football, Rusty followed both baseball and college football closely and rarely missed a good game. He was a straight-shooter in every sense of the word—plainspoken, honest, and never one to mince words. You always knew where you stood with Rusty, and he wouldn’t have had it any other way.

He took great pride in his family, especially his grandsons, and enjoyed watching his children’s ball games when they were young. His work ethic was unmatched. Rusty spent 30 years with R.L. Zeigler in Selma as a shipping supervisor, then continued his career at International Paper’s Riverdale Mill as a caustic operator for 19 more years before retiring (for the second time) in 2008. But even retirement couldn’t slow him down—if anything, he sped up. His shop became his happy place, filled with engines, tools, and the satisfaction of keeping busy doing what he loved.

Rusty will be remembered for his sharp wit, steady hands, love of conversation, and the unmistakable sound of a small engine coming back to life under his care.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Jimmie N. Greene; son, Jimmy T. Greene; grandson, Timothy C. Greene; brothers, Willie C. Greene and Otis R. Greene; sister, Catherine Freeman and second wife, Peggy J. Greene.

He is survived by his daughter, Angie (Ron) Astin; grandsons, Tony (Kristi) Greene, Caleb (Lauren) Astin and Collin (Anne) Astin; step-children, Danny Bender, Kathy (Donald) Weathers and Patti (Steve) Patterson; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be Thursday, October 23, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home in Selma with Bro. Jon Chappelle and Mr. Kenneth Smith officiating. Interment will follow at Pineview Memory Gardens in Valley Grande. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m., prior to the service at the funeral home in Selma.

Pallbearers will be Caleb Astin, Collin Astin, Jerry Greene, Terry Greene, Ken Smith and Bruce Barnes.