Paula Ann Garnett Russell, 80 years of age, born 4 Feb. 1936, was predominantly a resident of Decatur until moving to Arbor Springs Health Center in Opelika in October 2013 until her death on 20, Nov. 2016.
Visitation will be today from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Roselawn Funeral Home. Funeral service will begin at 2:30 p.m. in the chapel of the funeral home. Burial will follow in Roselawn Cemetery.
She was an honor graduate of Decatur High School in 1953 to include Editor of the Annual and Girl’s State Representative; attended G. Peabody College in Nashville during which she was secretary/treasurer of the Baptist Student Union, Annual staff member and Beta Kappa Tau sorority, and listed in Who’s Who in American Universities & Colleges. She served as a substitute teacher in Decatur City and Morgan County Schools. She married the love of her life, Paul Kermit Russell on 17 Aug. 1936 who preceded her in death in 1994.
She is survived by daughters, Katrina Thompson (Wesley Thompson) and Amanda Rollins (Rodgers Vandiver); grandchildren, Rene, Dan, Jesse (Emily) Rollins and great-grandson, James Paul Rollins; sister, Martha Russell and sister-in-law, Dr. JoAnne Garnett.
She was preceded in death by her parents, J.Percy Garnett and Mildred Sheats Garnett; brothers, Fennell and Tuell Garnett; and sister, Brenda Cooper.
Pallbearers will be Dan and Jesse Rollins, Michael Russell, Mark Albright, Mack Maddox, Louie Sanford, Mike Garnett and Honorary pallbearer, Randy Russell.
The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff of Arbor Springs as well as to her church family at Central Baptist and her loving and faithful Sunday school class.
Roselawn Funeral Home is assisting the family.
