Mary Ellen Russ, age 72, went home to be with her Savior early in the morning on February 2, 2019, after an extended illness. She was the loving, faithful wife of the late Joseph Russ, Sr. for 50 years. She raised three boys and was the proud grandmother of nine. Mary Ellen loved her Lord, and prior to her illness, she was faithful to her church, First Church of God in Chilhowie, VA. Even as recently as Christmas Eve, she enjoyed singing the Lord’s praises through hymns, remembering almost all of the words.
Mary Ellen drove the school bus for Washington County Public Schools for close to 30 years. In the early years, she also worked in the cafeteria at Glade Spring Elementary School between driving shifts. She received joy from working with the kids and loved to drive for and attend extra-curricular activities such as band competitions and performances, athletic events, etc. In the late 1990s, she was a certified EMS responder for the Glade Spring Volunteer Rescue Squad and received her certification as a volunteer with Hospice Care in 2000.
Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her mother, Sarah Paschal; her father, Owen Paschal; her brother Vincent Paschal; and her precious husband, Joseph Russ, Sr. She leaves behind her brothers, Carl Paschal, Johnny Paschal and Kenneth Paschal, and her sister, Delores Edmondson; her son Joseph (Joey) Russ, Jr. and wife Linda of Hillsborough, NC; her son Jonathan Russ and wife Brenda of Midlothian, VA; her son and sacrificial caregiver, Jason Russ and wife Micki of Glade Spring, VA; as well as nine grandchildren: Emily Russ, Kaylee Russ, Noah Russ, Haley Russ, Kensley Russ, Brody Russ, Sofia Russ, Risten Russ, and Baylen Russ.
Visitation will be held from 5 PM until 7 PM Tuesday, February 5, 2019 at First Church of God in Chilhowie, Va. with a service following at 7 PM with Rev. Bobby Dunn and Rev. Rick Hayes officiating. Committal services will be held at 2 PM Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at Mt. Rose Cemetery, Glade Spring, Va.
Serving as pallbearers will be Ernest Hurd, Scotty Hopkins, Noah Russ, Joe Russ, John Russ and Scott Russ.
Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Gill, Stacey Poston, Lee Brannon, Gerald Hall and Bob Elmore.
In lieu of flowers the family ask that donations be made to Alzheimer’s of Tennessee, 2319 Browns Mill RD., Suite D6, Johnson City Tn. 37604
Frost Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 250 East Main Street, Abingdon, Va. 24210 is honored to serve the Russ family.
Comments