Mary C. Russell

MARY C. RUSSELL STAUNTON, VA… Mary Caroline (“Kay”) Russell, age 90, of Staunton went home to be with her Lord on January 17, 2017.  Born to Olive Keller Erb and Wilfred Erb in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania on September 25, 1926, she eloped to Knoxville, Tennessee to marry her true love Paul McConaghy Russell on September 14, 1943.  Following the marriage, the couple returned to the Lancaster area to raise their family.  Mary studied at Philadelphia College of Bible. After their children were grown,  “Aunt Kay and Uncle Paul” as they came to be affectionately known, moved to Virginia where they served on the staff at Camp Bethel in Wise, Virginia, taught bible classes in local schools and collected, sorted and delivered hundreds of truckloads of donated clothing to families in need.  Later, with the support of a dedicated board of directors, the couple founded Peaceful Valley Home for Children where Kay served as house mother to many young men and women often cooking three meals a day for a dozen or more hungry mouths.  After Paul's death, Kay moved to be with her family in Charlottesville and later with them again to Staunton.  Mary's faith was her shining hallmark.  Her trust in the Lord Jesus Christ was unwavering - no matter how great the challenge.  She loved music and singing and often served as a guest soloist for Sunday church services.  As a young girl, she was a talented sketch artist and later in life became a master at knitting and crocheting.  She adored her children and grandchildren and always surrounded herself with their photographs.  She had a special affection for animals, especially her beloved “Teddy” and her grand-dogs.   Mary truly lived to serve her family.  As long as she was able, she cooked meals, ironed clothing to perfection and pitched in with whatever needed to be done - from bottle feeding baby goats to washing, sorting and packing hundreds of eggs a day. Mary will be missed by the friends and family who survive her including her son Paul M. Russell, Jr.; her son the Rev. Phillip D. Russell and his wife Sue Russell; her niece Paula Harper, whom she considered a daughter, and her husband Dale Harper; her daughter April Fletcher and her patient and steadfast son-in-law Kevin Fletcher; her sister Beulah Kurtz, as well as many beautiful and accomplished grandchildren and great-grandchildren of whom she was very proud. The family wishes to express the deepest gratitude to the dedicated staff of Kings Daughters Community Health and Rehabilitation Center for the love, kindness and comfort provided to Mary.The Henry Funeral Home, Staunton, Virginia has been entrusted with the arrangements.