Mary (Oden) Russell

Mrs. Mary Oden Russell was born May 11, 1948 in Montgomery Alabama to the parents of Mr. and Mrs. Joe M. Humphries.

She and her siblings were later adopted by Jimmie Lue and Elnora Oden from Fayetteville. During her high school years at Phyllis Wheatley High School in Childersburg, she was known for being a great dancer. On November 17, 1974, she was united in Holy Matrimony to Mr. Bobbie Joe Russell. They were married for 42 years until his death on September 28, 2017.

At a young age, she united with the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Fayetteville. She was active member of the church. Duties included: former Vice-President of The Usher Board, former member of the kitchen committee, former announcer and member of the Senior Choir and Mass Choir until her death.  Outside of her local church, she performed as a soloist throughout Central Alabama. She would speak proudly about her “engagements”.  She had a love for wearing big hats.

Mary was well known for her culinary skills having worked in many of the local restaurants and catered privately from her home. For many years, she was a caregiver, doing private duty sitting for the elderly.

She also was a lover of music. Besides gospel, she had a love for the Blues.

Mary departed this life at her home surrounded by the love of two friends Mary Emma Stone Parham and Kelly Osbourne on Monday, April 6, 2020. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bobbie Joe Russell, siblings Michael Oden and Martha Oden, and sister Mavis Kirkland

She leaves to cherish her memory, daughters, Jerry Ann Oden of Memphis, Tn, Genora M. Hale of Sylacauga, Al; granddaughters, Charbonet Knight and Amondalay Simmons of Memphis, Tn, Carla Hale-Marshall of Sylacauga, Alabama and Melissa Hale of Montgomery, Al;  grandsons Jeremy Oden of Birmingham, Al, Christopher Morris of Memphis, Tn, Michael Hale Jr. of Birmingham, Al, adopted grandsons Byron and Isaac Osbourn of Fayetteville, Al, 13 great grandchildren, brothers William Kirkland of Virginia Beach, Virginia and Larry Oden of Ohio. Sister-in-Law Maggie Russell of Spartanburg, SC and a host of nieces, nephews ,relatives and friends.

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