FACE COVERINGS ARE STILL REQUIRED TO ENTER THE FUNERAL HOME!!!

Funeral service will be 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church; 4925 New Centre Drive.  Visitation will be from 5:30 to 8:00 P.M. on Monday at the funeral home.

Reverend Russell Charles "RC" West, Jr. was born in Norfolk, Virginia to the late Russell Charles West, Sr. and Ada Ebron West Miller. He departed this life on Sunday, January 21, 2024, at 4:25 p.m. He was also preceded in death by his sisters: Inez West Gorham, Clyde West Dudley, Ada West Bishop, Edna West Dillahunt, and Daisy West Kinard.  Reverend West was a history buff. Upon graduating from West Street High School in New Bern, North Carolina, his dream was to major in history at North Carolina A&T University and become a history teacher. God, however, changed his plan. His mother was a nurse and had become exhausted from her traveling and duties. Being the only son, he decided to join the Navy and see the world! This way, he reasoned, he could see the world and send money home to his mother. He served in the United States Navy for twenty years – and retired as a Chief Gunner's Mate. In 1955, he married his high school sweetheart, the late Bernice Renee Moore of New Bern. To this union, six children were born: Reginald West (Sarah) of Tampa, Florida; Eursula West of Raleigh, North Carolina; Russell West III (Vanessa Ballard) of Holyoke, Massachusetts; Angela West White (Kevin) of Raleigh, North Carolina; Ingrid West Blount of Cary, North Carolina; and Raymond West (deceased).He married Sterling Jarrett in 1970. To this union, he adopted four daughters: Valerie West Rucker (Victor) of Winston Salem, North Carolina; Manita West McLaughlin (Lenn) of Greensboro, North Carolina; Chiquita West Coleman (deceased); and Marvetta West Brass (Terrence) of Rocklin, California. One son was born to this union:  Renaldo Christopher West (Crystal Smithson) of Quakertown, Pennsylvania.

In addition to his children, he is survived by:

His Grandchildren                                                                                           His Great-Grandchildren

Reginald Chavez West Jr.                                                                               Reyasia West

Alisha West–McClinton                                                                                  Devan McClinton Jr.

Arrington Charles West

Tara Tims                                                                                                             Chloe Sidbury and Jon Tims

Russell Charles West IV                                                                                  Riley West

Richard Charles West

Rueben Christinsen Elijah West

David Brown and Chelsea Martin

Manisha Smith

Kristoffer White (Deceased)

Solomon Blount

Kayla Brass                                                                                                          Skyla Azora Knight

Katrina Brass

Renaldo Christopher West, Jr., Kindal and Devin Eure

He is survived by other grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins. During the latter years of RC's active service in the United States Navy, he earned his Associate degree in architectural drafting and in electrical technology from Coastal Carolina in Jacksonville, North Carolina. In late 1970, he was employed by Pfizer Inc. in Southport, North Carolina as an electrical foreman. As soon as he started working at Pfizer Inc., he was encouraged to apply for employment with Hercules Incorporated in Wilmington, North Carolina. He applied and was hired as an electrical planner. After twenty-five years, RC retired. By the time of his retirement, the company had changed its name to Hoechst Celanese Americas. On November 1, 1986, he married Faustina (Tina) Holmes-West of Wilmington, North Carolina. During their thirty-seven years of marriage, they built their dream home in Pender County. For over thirty years, he was an AKC breeder of his beloved German Shepherd dogs. RC loved to work in his gardens and flower beds. He often commented that he felt closest to God when he worked outside. Together, RC and Tina traveled throughout the Southeast. He loved going home to New Bern, North Carolina to visit his sister Edna. He and Edna's husband, the late Reverend Leamon Dillahunt, Sr., would have some long and deep conversations about the Bible and God's love.  One of his favorite places was the North Carolina mountains. They visited several historic Black universities and old Episcopal churches. He loved the architecture of the church buildings. When his health began to decline, he used his iPad to travel virtually to military bases and countries throughout the world. In 1995, RC answered his call to the ministry. In 1997, he became the first Black man to be ordained a Deacon in the Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina. During his tenure, he served at St. Mark's Episcopal Church and The Good Shepherd House in Wilmington. He was Church of the Servant Episcopal Church's first deacon. He served as the Supply Priest for St. Cyprian Episcopal Church in New Bern, North Carolina and for All Souls Episcopal Church in the Northwest Community in Brunswick County, North Carolina. He served with several ministries for the Diocese of East Carolina. On October 15, 2011, he joined Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church and served with the ministers in fellowship. He was always eager to serve as the worship leader and he was always prepared. As a veteran, he wanted to make sure all veterans were recognized during our annual Veteran's Day service. RC regularly meditated on God's Word. His advice to family, friends, and others was to "listen to the Holy Spirit!"  Though he was homebound, he faithfully listened to Macedonia's worship services and Bible study. He often commented how grateful he was that he was still able to worship and study with his church family. At home in Burgaw, he had several friends. However, Donald McDuffie was his best friend.