Sis Willie Mae Russell (affectionately called Ms Willie) departed this life on July 9, 2019 surrounded by her children, and family members at Ocshner Multi – Organ Transplant Hospital, after a valiant fight with liver failure. Her strong will to live, unwavering faith in God and the love and prayers of her family, friends and many supporters helped her to fight a good fight of Faith. Yet even throughout her struggles she was still a woman of boundless energy and a strong sense of family who believed intensely in the importance of faith and love. All through her illness her faith remained. Her favorite saying was
“GOD GOT ME!”
Willie Mae was born on November 12, 1950 in Perry County, Alabama, to the union of the late Jerry and Maggie Lee Russell. She is preceded in death by two sisters Elouise Russell Prince and Ida Mae Russell Jones, one son O’Brien Santor Russell one grandson Keenan Russell.
Willie Mae leaves to cherish her memory two sons: Michael Russell; Adolph (Kim) Russell both of Mobile, Al; three daughters: Omeca (Calvin) Nettles; Safiya (Julius) Horne; and Satonya Russell all of Mobile, Al; one stepdaughter: Zekina (Estarn) Rodgers-Ezell of Mobile, Al; five brothers: Jerry (Hazel) Russell; Alphonse (Lela) Russell; Charles Russell; Melvin (Quita) Russell; Eric (Marsille) Russell; all of Mobile, Al; four sisters: Denise (Leonard) Weeks; Carol (Stephen) Harris; Peggy McGadney; Ebony Houston all of Mobile, Al; Four Aunts: Ann Roberts of Cleveland, Oh; Alma Howard; Barabra Scott; Nella Scott all of Mobile, Al; one uncle Charles Scott of Cleveland, Oh; Thirteen grandchildren: Michael Russell, Tania Williams, Tylisia Williams, Andera Craig, Aldoph Craig, Randy Reese, Jacoby Horne, Randarrius Reese, Joshua Horne, O’Sheaviya Russell, Jalia Russell, O’Breanna Russell, Chase Duncan; all of Mobile, Al; one devoted daughter in law: April Sanders of Mobile, Al; one devoted niece Carlin Russell of Mobile, Al; one devoted friend: Malachi Singleton of Chicago, Il; a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.