Norma Russell, a 91-year-old resident of Hidden Lakes Care Center in Raytown, died on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019.
A memorial service is planned at a later date.
Mrs. Russell was born on April 22, 1928 in Mercer, the daughter of Albert and Ola Clapham Reeves. She grew up on the family farm as the youngest of five children. She graduated from Mercer High School in 1947.
She married in 1949 Junior Keith Williamson and the couple had three children. She married Junior Russell in 1971 and became the mother of his seven-year-old daughter, Carla June Russell. The couple were married for 42 years until he died in December 2012.
Mrs. Russell worked as a secretary at Wilcox Rock Quarry in Princeton. The couple spent their winters in Florida for 30 years. She enjoyed the farm life, traveling, sewing and crocheting. She also enjoyed playing cards with her grandchildren and friends.
Mrs. Russell moved to the Village Retirement Community in Cameron in 2012. Following her husband’s death, she moved to Hidden Lakes Care Center. She was in charge of decorating the monthly seasonal display case at each center and took much pride in making them look nice.
Mrs. Russell was a member of the First Christian Church at each place she lived.
She is survived by her three children, Penny (John) Neeley of Raytown and twins Randi (Chad) York of Rutledge and Andy (Jeannie) Williamson of Las Vegas, NV; seven granddaughters, Sabrina (Kurt) Frankenberg, Debbie (Eric) Kirby, Tracy (Troy) Ailor, Tori (Jared) Delana, Brie (Rich) Berg, Dana (Shane) Zeysing, and Andrea (Evan) Emel; 11 great-grandchildren, Sydney, Devin, Neeley, Nixon, Roman, Griffin, Colton, Maci, Rowen, Isabella and Eva; and one great-great-granddaughter, Journey.
In addition to her parents and husband, Junior, she was preceded in death by three sisters, Loel Lee Bomgardner, June States and Amber Holmes; a brother, Lloyd Reeves; and a daughter, Carla Russell.