Russell Kern Hackman, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, veteran, and teacher, went to his Heavenly reward on June 7th, 2024, at Sunnybrook Estates in Madison. A lifelong servant as both a member of the United States Army and a teacher, Russell touched the lives of many along the way. Russell was born in Lancaster, PA, the son of Stanley Heaney Hackman and Joy Sands Hackman. He attended Millsaps College, where he met the love of his life, Shirley Jean McMullan. After being drafted, he was stationed in Germany, due to his command of the German language, part of his Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. Following a flurry of letters, he went home on furlough and married Shirley on December 12, 1959 – a day they described as “the twelfth of never.” Their bond of never-ending love was interrupted after 48 years by her passing in 2007. Now, they are reunited. In the military, Russell served in the 7th Army Infantry Battalion in Germany and was a soloist in the Seventh Army Soldier’s Chorus, winners of the 1965 International Choral Festival in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands. Following his service in the Army, he returned to Mississippi to complete his bachelor’s degree and became a teacher, serving as an inspiration to students for many years. He was a favorite whose classroom was always full of adoring students before and after school. During his teaching years, he was also active in numerous arts organizations, primarily as an opera singer with the Gulf Coast Opera Guild and an actor in Biloxi Little Theatre productions. He also served as a board member for the Biloxi Community Concert Association and was a member of the Masons. After retiring from his career in teaching throughout Mississippi with posts in Jackson, Beulah Hubbard, Biloxi, and Gulfport, Russell and Shirley moved to Madison to be closer to family, where they would remain. Russell was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and his sister, Gwendolyn Ann Hackman. He is survived by his sons, Ken Hackman (Ruth), and David Hackman, of Madison, MS. Grandchildren are Mandy Hackman and Allyn Hackman, both of Madison, MS, Erica Avila (Madaly), of San Antonio, TX, Joshua Hackman (Ellie) of Waynesboro, VA, and Joseph Hackman, of Roanoke, VA. Great-grandchildren are Jackie, Walter, and Thomas Hackman of Waynesboro, VA. A visitation will be held at Natchez Trace Funeral Home in Madison, MS, on Friday, June 14 at 10 a.m., with a funeral service following at 11:00 am. Graveside burial services will be held on Saturday, June 15, at 10 a.m. at the Gulfhaven Mennonite Church in Gulfport. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pine Lake Fellowship Camp, 10371 Pine Lake Rd., Meridian, MS, 39307.