BRYCE APPLEWHITE

Born in Indianapolis, Indiana to Kevin J. Russell and Sheila M. Applewhite on February 22, 1996, Bryce's presence was a gift to all who knew him. Bryce professed his hope in Christ on October 6, 2009 under the guidance of Pastor Kelly at Good Samaritan Baptist Church. Bryce went on to attend Sunday School and work as an usher as he maintained a close relationship with God throughout the rest of his life.

Following the completion of his secondary education at North Central High School, Bryce went on to attend the illustrious Tennessee State University where he graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources. At Tennessee State, Bryce joined the Collegiate 100 and became a proud brother of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, acquiring friendships and connections that would last a lifetime. He went on to receive his Masters of Public Administration from Delaware State University and became a valued member of Lighthouse Autism Center where he helped children gain developmental skills. Bryce was known for his dedication to his students and his incredible passion for teaching. Bryce loved traveling, his family and friends, watching superhero movies, and cherishing each day that he spent on Earth.

Bryce Jai Applewhite transitioned peacefully on October 9, 2025, at the age of twenty-nine years old at Community North Hospital. Bryce was preceded in death by his father, Kevin J. Russell; uncles, Kendall Russell and Robert Anthony "Tony" Jones; and cousin Malik Jones.

He is survived by his mother, Sheila Applewhite; his  maternal grandparents, Robert and Georgia Jones; paternal grandparents, Donald and Shirley Russell, and Donna Brooks “Don-naye”; his aunts, Shani Jones and Anna Faitele-Russell; his siblings, Riley Russell, Chase Russell, Mirabella Russell, Cassidy Bullard, and Brooklyn Woods; his cousins, Angel Russell, Paulo Russell, Mataio Russell, Alexus Jones, Tierra Rodgers, Terron Rodgers, Kyron Jones, Kierra Jones, Maurice Rush, Darius Latham, and Ashanti Latham; his friends from TSU, Alec Forrest, Jarrod Jackson, Elijah Fowlkes, Armoni Towner, Autumn Carter, Kii Davis, Keosha Hamilton; his friends from Indianapolis Tony Mcelwain, Sydney Willis, Sydney Bible, Mutheu Muthusi; a host of additional extended family and friends; and the children that he affected throughout his time at Lighthouse Autism Center.

Bryce will forever be remembered for his fun-loving personality, his unwavering loyalty, and his dedication to his family. His zest for traveling, eternal gratitude, and enjoying the simplicities of the world was an infectious and integral element of who he was. His laughter and spirit were gifts to all who knew him and will be forever missed.

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