Service Announcements

Mrs. Alice Venola Reid Russell ,88 of Midland , NC. passed away Saturday December 16, 2017 at Cabarrus Co. Hospice House , Kannapolis, NC. Funeral service will be held Friday December 22, 2017 at Rock Hill AME Zion Church 2723 W. Lawyers Rd. Indian Trail, NC. Visitation will begin at 11:00 am and the service will follow at 12:00 pm. Interment will take place in Sunset Memory Gardens.The Obituary

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven; A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn; and a time to dance.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-4

Alice Venola Reid Russell, 88, was born April 27, 1929 to the late Ernest C. and Mary Alice (Hubbard) Reid in Olive Branch, NC. She was peacefully called home to eternal rest with Jesus Christ, Saturday, December 16, 2017.

She was a graduate of J. H. Gunn High School in Charlotte, NC and following high school received her teaching certification. After her studies, she devoted her life to teaching. She became a Teacher’s Assistant at Merry Oaks Elementary School; the Metro School that serves students who are cognitively disabled with medical and physical needs; Oakhurst Elementary School, working with students of similar needs; and Bethel Elementary School, working with the before and after school program. She loved children, especially the Metro School children, where she taught for 20 years. She never saw them differently and never labeled them. She would often bring them to the family farm to view the animals.

Mother loved flowers, which you would find inside and outside the home; she enjoyed cooking, preparing and canning many of the vegetables from the garden; and traveling, having visited the Holy Land and Hawaii.

She was a loving and devoted wife to her late husband, James Russell, as the two of them raised her husband’s four younger siblings prior to starting their own family of seven. She was a loving mother, providing gracious counseling, instruction and encouragement to her children.

Mother loved the Lord and her church. Throughout her life she was an active church member, serving on the Stewardess Board, singing in the choir, attending Bible studies, ushering, teaching in the Children’s Ministry and preparing and serving in the fellowship hall.
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Above all, mother loved her family which grieves her loss but takes comfort in sweet memories. She was predeceased by her husband, James Russell (2008) and her daughter, Mary Alice Lockett (2016); also her siblings, Gladie Reid, Carl Reid, Edward Reid, Ruth Broughden, Genea Bogans, Willie Bell Alexander.

Mother leaves to cherish her memory six sons; Earnest Russell of Greensboro, NC; Kenneth Russell of Charlotte, NC; Alfred Russell of Little Elm, Texas; Pierre Russell (Beverly) of Midland, NC; Bobby Russell (Angela) of Fuquay-Varina, NC; and Robby Russell (Michelle) of Arden, NC and son-in-law, Edward Lockett.

Twelve grandchildren: Tito Lockett, Gabriel Russell, Kia Lawton, Tunisia Russell, Donavan Russell, Tekeia Russell, Curness Russell, Cameron Russell, Jessica Russell, Ashley Russell, Alicia Russell and Lauren Russell.

Seven great grandchildren: Tito Lockett, Jr, Tevin Lockett, Mari Lockett, Yaminah Russell, Inara Russell, Nathan Lawton, Kamryn Lawton.

Sister, Eula Alexander of Charlotte, NC; also a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family member and friends.