RUSSELL TAWAN BAYTOPS

     Russell (Russman) Tawan Baytops was born on February 26, 1956 in Newark, NJ.  He is the sixth of twelve children born to the late Bishop H.E. and Mother E.I. Baytops.  He departed this life on July 7, 2021 at his residence in Newark, NJ.

     Although Russell was a man of many talents, he is most known for his skillful mastery of the lead guitar.  He began playing at a very young age and began his musical career as the lead guitarist for the renowned recording artist, “The Honey B’s” of Newark, NJ.  This uniquely talented group consisted of his father, mother, brothers and sisters.

     Russell attended elementary and high schools in the Newark, New Jersey public school system.  In 1974, he attended the Manpower Training School in Newark, NJ, where he graduated as a certified electrician.  In August of 1974, he was united in holy matrimony to Marilyn A. White.  To this union were born two lovely daughters, Tamika and Myesha Baytops.

     From 1975 to 1980, Russell was employed with the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company.  In August of that same year he and his family moved to Panama City, FL where they resided for two years.  In November of 1982, they moved to Toledo, OH.  In September of the following year, they moved to Westerville, OH where they became the foster parents of three special need adults.

     Russell returned to his roots in New Jersey in 1986, during which time he was employed as cook and baker at Dunkin’ Donuts in Union, NJ.  He later served as the manager and baker at the Bread Market at the Bridgewater Commons Mall in Bridgewater, NJ and was also employed with the Old Country Buffett in Watchung, NJ.  On November 13, 2010, Russell was joined in holy matrimony to Betty Moore, where they resided in Somerville, NJ.  To this union was born their wonderful daughter, Tayauna Moore-Baytops.

     During Russell’s musical career, he has played for and/or served as one of the lead musicians for numerous churches in the Metropolitan area, including New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church in Somerville, NJ under Pastor David E. Rouse, Sr.; The Bread of Life Church in Newark, NJ, under Pastor Raymond Grier; and the First Baptist Church in South Bound Brook, NJ, under Pastor Iley Earle Bright, from 2014 to January 2020.

     Russell was always the life of any gathering.  He loved God, music, cooking and cleaning.  His favorite song was “Father Open our Eyes”.  To know him was to love him.  Russell was a loving son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather and friend.  He was preceded in death by his brothers, Bert William Baytops and Bishop Y.D. Baytops.  He leaves to cherish his memories his wife , Betty Moore-Baytops of Baltimore, MD; three daughters, Tamika Baytops of Reynoldsburg, OH, Myesha Baytops of Pickerington, OH, and Tayauna Moore-Baytops of South River, NJ; three grandchildren, Juddah ,Joshua and Jahnai Bates of Pickerington, OH; seven sisters, Leithia Cromartie (Sam) of Irvington, NJ, Linda Wheeler of Piscataway, NJ, Rena D. Baytops of Newark, NJ, Larna Harris (Eddie) of Piscataway, NJ, Lorretta Baytops of Columbus, OH, Latricia Bondurant of Pickerington, OH, and Elisha Tabitha Traylor of Columbus, OH; four brothers, Hurmond E. Baytops, Jr. (Renee) of Charlotte, NC, John Baytops of Irvington, NJ, Ettwann Baytops (Jeanette) of Gahanna, OH, and Mark White (LaTanya) of Columbus, OH; one aunt, Barbara Creese (Jarvin) of Westfield, NJ; two uncles Robert Bullock of Westfield, NJ, and Ernest Bullock (Jamie) of Linden, NJ; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.