Services for Eunice Annette B. Russell, of Wesson, are 11 a.m.Friday, Nov. 18 at Strong Hope Baptist Church in Wesson with burialin the church cemetery.

Visitation is today from 5 to 9 p.m. at Stringer Funeral Home inHazlehurst and Friday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church.

Mrs. Russell, 85, died Nov. 16, 2005, at New Dawn RetirementCenter in Ruth. She was born in Lawrence County on Oct. 16, 1920,to Holloway Hennington and Exie Sillis Bird.

She was a graduate of Monticello High School and MississippiSouthern. She married Walter Kermit Russell on April 6, 1942.

A lifelong educator, her teaching career began in 1949 at StrongHope School where she taught third, fourth and fifth grades. Shelater became principal of Strong Hope and simultaneously taughtsixth, seventh and eighth grades. In 1957, Strong Hope School wasconsolidated with Wesson School and following the consolidation,she worked with the Copiah County Extension office for 18 months.She then accepted a position at Wesson School teaching first grade.At her retirement in 1982 she had over 33 years of teaching with 22years teaching first grade. She also served as 4-H sponsor, and shetaught basic education for Copiah-Lincoln Community College,helping adults learn to read. Mrs. Russell always gave unselfishlyof herself, using her gifts to minister to the needs of individualsenabling others to reach their potential.

Mrs. Russell’s hobbies included sewing, needlework, reading,growing and arranging flowers, and providing a fairy tale settingfor her grandchildren where she instilled in them the beliefs,customs and values that she held dear.

Prior to her illness she was an active member of Strong HopeBaptist Church, serving countless years as the chairman of thehostess committee and arranging fresh flowers for the churchnumerous Sundays. She also was active in the Copiah CountyHomemakers Club.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, WalterKermit Russell; her son, Mike Russell; and two daughters-in-law,Sharon Pickett Russell and Linda Rials Russell.

Survivors are her children, Kermit Russell, Keith and PennyRussell, all of Brandon, and Johnnie Ruth Carlisle, of Wesson; hergrandchildren, Wendy Russell Harrell, of Hazlehurst, Dawn RussellDunn, Holly Russell Franklin, Jessica Russell Turner, and JamieCarlisle, of Wesson, Suzannah Russell Britt, of Summit, JulieCarlisle, of Baton Rouge, La., Michael W. Russell, of Los Angles,Calif., and Michael A. Russell, of San Diego, Calif; and eightgreat-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Strong Hope Baptist Church, 1144 KingRoad, Wesson MS 39191 and Hospice Ministries, 397 Brookhaven St.,Brookhaven MS 39601.