Russell Litten, Sr.

Russell Vance Litten, Sr. 68 with his wife and children by his side, passed away on Monday, Sept. 4th, 2006 after a long and courageous struggle with Alzheimers disease. With his earthly journey complete, he has gone to spend eternity with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. And there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying. Neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Revelation 21:4 What a comfort this is to all who loved Russ. An Alamance County native, he was born on December 15th, 1937, the oldest of eleven children born to Fronnie Dixon Litten, who survives and the late Russell Francis Litten. Russell loved working with his hands and he was a gifted and talented master carpenter. He learned much of his trade from working beside his father from the time he was a young boy and later passing this knowledge on to his brothers. He worked for many years as a construction superintendent, traveling with Daniel International, J.D. Skidmore in Greensboro, and Resolute Builders in Chapel Hill. It was with Resolute that he did some of his finest work, when he did the refurbishing of Old East, Old West Dormitories at UNC. Old East Cornerstone was laid on October 12th, 1793, making UNC the oldest public university in the United States. Russell was very proud of his work there. He was also a Veteran of the U.S. Navy serving with the Atlantic Fleet. He is survived by his wife Pat of the home and their combined children and spouses; Rusty and Julie Litten of Elon, Scott and Connie Litten of Snow Camp, Ashley Smith of Burlington, Lorin and Michael Gill of Charlotte, and Alex and Victoria Headen of Elon, and a foster daughter, Carol Fuqua of Burlington. Eight grandchildren; Logan Litten, Jessie Patterson, Lindsay and Courtney Smith, Jordan West, Alyssa Gill, Hannah and Sarah Headen, ALL who lovingly called him Paw-paw and another little bundle of joy to be born to Scott and Connie in October, and also three foster grandchildren. When the grandchildren were young, one of their favorite things to do was ride on Paw-paws back and to swing on the big tree swing that Russ put up for his and Pats children when they became a family in 1978. After Russ retired and became ill, one of his favorite things to do was gather with his family and sing old songs from his childhood while Alex played guitar. He loved the old time gospel songs and one of his favorites was On the Jericho Road. He also loved to sing along with his mother as his brother David would play the harmonica. Long into his illness, when memories were long forgotten; he still remembered the words to You Are My Sunshine and would sing it with Pat almost every day. Along with Pat, their children and his mother, Russell is also survived by five brothers and five sisters, along with their spouses. Amy Dan Harman of Maryland, Pricilla Charles Pugh of Florida, Frances Roman Williams, Doris Mark of Graham, and Margaret William Atkins of Liberty, Fred Kathy Litten of Missouri, Andy Beverly Litten of Burlington, Michael Dawn Litten, Phillip and David Litten all of Charlotte. Many nieces, nephews, cousins, and his Aunt Clara and Uncle Shelton Coggins of Burlington, two sisters-in-law and a brother-in-law, Darlene and Charles Harrison of Lake Tillery, NC and DeAnna Upchurch of Florida. A celebration and remembrance of Russells life will be remembered at 11:00 AM Thursday at a graveside service at Alamance Memorial Park with the Rev. John Shields of Peoples Memorial Christian Church officiating. Visitation will be held at Lowes Funeral Home and Crematory on September 6, 2006 from 6-8 PM. The family will be at Russell and Pats home at 1730 Stratford Road, Burlington until that time. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Alamance/Caswell, Alzheimers Research, or to the Friendship Adult Day Care Center. Pat and children wish to express si