Mable Aline Russell
Mable Aline Russell, died at 3:45 p.m. Monday, Nov. 14, 2016, at Paxvilla Hospice in McAllen, Texas.
She was born Mabel Aline Davis in Elvira, the daughter of Alexander Benjamin Davis and Mary Jane “Polly” Burklow Davis.
She loved school and wanted to be a teacher, until she met the love of her life, Ernest Victor Russell, and married on June 6, 1938. Once married, they worked side by side in the farming, trucking and produce industries.
When she wasn’t keeping the books for the businesses, she loved music, cooking and children. As a member of the First Baptist Church in Anna, she served in Sunday School, playing music for the 5 and 6 year olds. She loved teaching children about the Lord and singing his praises.
She followed Victor to McAllen, Texas, in 1968 and became a member of Calvary Baptist Church. She again served the Lord in song by playing the piano for her Sunday School class.
Mable and Victor were avid travelers. More than once, they travelled from McAllen to Alaska in their Winnebago. As Winnebago Club members, they travelled all over the United States and Mable always had a piano/keyboard or guitar available to help get the music going.
She is survived by her children, Donald (Ruth Ann) Russell of Mission, Texas, Betty (Gerald) Brown of Jonesboro and Robert (Brenda) Russell of Mission, Texas; nine grandchildren, Donna (Dale) Mason of McAllen, Texas, Janice (Doug) Flores of Plano, Texas, Kim (Bryan) Bartruff of Jonesboro, Gina Thornbrough of Magnolia, Texas, Todd Brown of Jonesboro, Shannon Russell Fernandez of Katy, Texas, Ashley (Trey) Hood of Athens, Ga., Tim Brown of Jonesboro and Robert Brady (Heather) Russell of Tampa, Fla.; 22 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandsons.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ernest Victor Russell; an infant son, Willie Ernest Russell; brothers Austin Davis and Dennis Wendell Davis; and sisters, Bessie Davis, Eva V. Davis Stokes, Mary L. Davis Landis and Elva Mae “Pete” Davis Manus.
Her great-granddaughter said it best every time she was leaving the house, “I’ll Love You More Tomorrow Than I Do Today,” and Mable would repeat the phrase back to her with a big smile.
Funeral services were at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna, with Bill Littrell officiating. Interment was in the Anna City Cemetery.
Memorials can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
To leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com.
Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna was in charge of arrangements.