Pastor Russell A. Bellamy

Due to COVID-19 Restrictions, Funeral Services will be conducted outside and in accordance with NYS Law. Social distancing and face mask usage are required and we ask that you remain in your vehicles at all times during Celebration of Life service. There will be no bathrooms available. 

On July 27th, 2020 at approximately 1:00 pm, the Angel of the Lord said come and take your rest.  Russell Antonio Bellamy took the Angels hand and left St. Peter’s Hospital.

Russell Antonio Bellamy was born on March 29th, 1961 to Jean Carol Moses-Bellamy and Kenneth Arrington in Rocky Mount, NC He was the stepson of James E. Bellamy, Sr.

The Bellamy family moved to Albany, NY in 1962.  Bro. Russ as a child attended Cathedral Academy, and from there he attended Christian Brothers Academy.  

Bro. Russ has been around the church and participated in the activities most of his life.  He received his first spiritual contact with God while briefly attending Mt. Moriah Baptist Church and Sweet Pilgrim Baptist Church under the leadership of the phenomenal Pastor William Roland in Albany, NY. During his early teenage years, he began to meet other young people who loved God and began to attend Christian themed services in and out of the Church. At the age of 17, he sought a greater relationship with his Lord and fully committed himself to whatever God had planned for him. He joined up with St. Johns Church of God In Christ where he received Christ, and became a Minister while under the leadership of Superintendent John Johnson. Min. Russ was quickly promoted to be one of its prime youth leaders; he served as Jr. Choir president, Jr. Deacon, Usher, as well serving as the Albany regional director of Youth Explosion under Pastor McKinley Johnson. 

While attending Christian Brother’s Academy Min. Russ became a budding track star. The local media had nicknamed him the “Giant Killer” for his prowess to come from behind with a furious kick and overtake the favorite of a race.  He traveled all over the country with a Track Club competing with future and present Olympians.  During this time, he received scholarship offers from many colleges. Not knowing God had another plan for him, the Lord challenged him to give it all up to follow Him totally, letting him know he could not serve two masters. To Gods Will he said “YES” and paid the price in friends and acquaintances.  He was able to attend Hudson Valley Community College debt free and earned his degree in Business Administration.  Min. Russ was later inducted into the Christian Brothers Academy Hall of Fame.

Min. Russ married high school sweetheart: the love of his life Leona (Nesie) Trotter in 1980. They have been together 40 years and was still going strong. The experiences he had in church led him into a life of servant hood that included being an ordained Elder at the age of 23 years. Serving in the Youth Explosion, to eventually serving in the General Assembly of the Churches of God In Christ as an Sergeant-at-Arms, for which he served for 35 years.  Elder Russell also has served the NYS Jurisdictional Pastors and Elders council in the same capacity for approximately 16 years. Elder Russell has served as the Assistant to the Chairman of the James R. Wright Institute of Christian Education or (ICE) and a Co-Dean of the Youth Seeking Christ sector, during the Western NY1 Holy Convocation in Rochester, NY.

Locally Elder Russell’s gifts of Helps and Administration has afforded him the honor of assisting Pastors in their mission from teaching different classes to overseeing the Church in the absence of its Pastor due to bereavement, vacation, sickness or sabbatical. Elder Russell was the Assistant Pastor of the Revelation COGIC, in Albany, NY serving with the Senior Pastor Leo Trotter, and the President of the Men’s Ministry, while teaching their “Training for Service” teacher certification program.  This 30 year plus experience of servant hood led him to his final assignment.  

Elder Russell and his dear wife accepted this new calling and accepted the challenge to “strengthen them that remain…and prepare for them that will come”, Elder Russell and his wife were installed as Pastor and 1st Lady of New Hope Family Life Center in Rensselaer NY in December 2016.

Pastor Russell Bellamy is a Graduate of Christian Brothers Academy, the Hudson Valley Community College, and the George Meany School of Labor of Washington DC. He held a position as a Marketing Rep. and Circulation District Manager for the Albany Times Union, and served as Vice President of the CWA Union, for 17 yrs.

After leaving the Newspapers business, he joined Combined Life Insurance Company for 12 years rising to become a Territory Manager. He held 5 insurance licenses and was licensed in 48 states and presently is a Sr. Account Executive with Effective Coverage the fastest growing insurance agency in the U.S.

While working at Combined Life Insurance Pastor Russ picked up these sayings.  he would walk around the house saying these until his children caught them. “I got the juice I got the fire; I got the juice I got the fire; I got the burning desire.”  “To be Enthusiastic we act Enthusiastic”; “PMA (Positive Mental Attitude)”.

It went along with this scripture: 1 Corinthians 15;46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual

Pastor Russ community involvement includes a volunteer member of the Albany County Juvenile Accountability Board. He and Leona have been honored as “Family of the Year”, by the NAACP of Albany, NY.  He also served on the board of the Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region.

When he saw fit that it was time to bring his mother back to him.  He said bring mom home.  He loved his mother and wanted nothing but the best for her, and for her to be with her family.  

Pastor Russell Bellamy leaves to cherish is memory the love of his life Leona (Nesie), four children Russell A. Jr. of Rutland, VT, Lorraine D., Randall A. and Leshelle D. all of Albany, NY.  His mother Jean C. Bellamy of Albany, NY.  Father Kenneth Arrington of Washington, DC.  Pastor Russell also leaves three sisters Betty, Rhonda, and Latrisa all of Schenectady, NY.  A dear Goddaughter Shera Boyd.  

Pastor Russell leaves six grandchildren Anyah M. Bellamy; Randall A. Bellamy Jr.; Rhys A. Bellamy; Roman A. Bellamy; Lailani D. Bellamy; Latryce D. Bellamy.  Also, God-grandchildren Nekhi N. Boyd; Yvonne D. Boyd; Nevaeh D. Boyd; Kayla S. Boyd; Samone H. Boyd Hargrove. He also, leaves to cherish his memory God children Brianna Johnson; Charles Johnson; Elizabeth Blackshine; Ariana Huntley-Dixon; Elijah Torres; and Jade Hicks.  Aunts, Uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews. Many, many friends.  Preceded him in death Stepfather James E. Bellamy, Sr. and brother James E. Bellamy, Jr. 

Pastor Russell Bellamy loved serving God and serving God’s people! It was his and Leona’s prayer and mission, to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ in order to build up the people of God to build and effect the kingdom of God here on earth.

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