Benna Dell Russell

Benna Dell Russell was born February 18, 1919 in Bronson, Texas to Matthew Hamilton and Dovie Smith Stephens. She died May 5, 2011 at Woodland Heights Medical Center, Lufkin, Texas.

She was graduated from Center High School as Valedictorian and was also Valedictorian of her Nacogdoches Beauty College graduating class. She was married to Desmon Sidney Russell on November 17, 1937 until his death May 17, 1996. She was an active member of Lufkin?s First Baptist Church for over 70 years and was secretary of the Rebekah Sunday School Class. She enjoyed singing and was a member of the Senior Choir. She loved her God, her church, her family and her many friends. She loved flowers and was an avid gardener, an accomplished seamstress and a wonderful cook. In her later years, she pursued genealogy and authored her own biography. She also enjoyed birdwatching.

Left to cherish her memory are her four children and their spouses: Charles Ray and Suzanne Russell, Lynda and Bob Melton, Carlyn and Duncan Garner, all of Lufkin, and Deborah and Alan Webb of Vidor. She is also survived by her ten grandchildren and spouses: Craig and Melissa Russell of Austin; Robin Melton Allen, and Bob Melton, Jr. and Mona of Lufkin; Carl Russell, Houston; Cathy and Mark Kettering of Diboll; Angela and Ismael Monroig, Pembroke Pines, Fla.; Tamara and Phillip Adamo, Cannonsburg, Penn.; AIC Alan David Webb, Moody AFB, Ga.; Tammy and David Miller and Amy and Allen Rush, all of Lufkin. She also had 21 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild.

She is also survived by her sisters: LaFaye Perkins, Sue Farris, and Maxine Malnar and brother-in-law, Harold, all of Lufkin. Also brother and sister-in-law, Steve and Margie Stephens and sister-in-law Murel Thomason, all of Center.

She is also survived by her loving care givers Sherry Johnson, Elvia Silvia, Rebbecca Reeves, Demicia Mandoza and many other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents, she was pre-deceased by her husband, Desmon Sidney Russell, a brother, T.O. Stephens, and an infant grandson.

Pallbearers will be: Bob Melton, Jr., Alan David Webb, Craig Russell, Carl Russell, Robert Russell, Russell Allen, Zach Allen, and Mark Allen.

The family extends our appreciation to the doctors and nurses at Woodland Heights Medical Center for their compassionate care. We also thank the staff of The Meadows for their loving care of our mother over the past 4 years.

Services for Mrs. Russell will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 7 in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Andrew G. Pittman officiating. Interment will follow at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery. The family will receive friends and family from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lufkin?s First Baptist Church, 106 E. Bremond St., Lufkin, Texas 75901.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.