Margaret “Maggie” Smyth Russell, age 39, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016. She was born Nov. 18, 1976, in Macon, Georgia. Maggie was the only daughter of E. Rex Smyth Jr. and Lizabeth Kemp Smyth (deceased). She married Blake Russell on June 20, 2003. Maggie leaves behind her husband, Blake, and two precious boys, Cannon and Gray.
She is also survived by her stepmother, Dr. Linda A. Smyth; brother, Josh Smyth, and his wife, Heather; father-in-law, Melvin Russell, and his wife, Helen; brother-in-law, Blair Russell, and his wife, Christy; sister-in-law, Melissa “Missy” Yost, and her husband, Kyle; and six nieces and nephews, Lawson, Bentley, Preston, Celia, Rocco, and Rex.
As beautiful as she was on the outside, it was her inner beauty that shined the brightest. She was generous with her laugh, compassion, spirit, and kindness. She touched the lives of everyone she encountered from inspiring hundreds of students to love learning to raising two fun-loving, adorable sons. Maggie was a beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, teacher, and friend. To say she is missed by her family and friends is an understatement.
Maggie was a teacher at Oak Mountain Elementary School for 16 years. She was honored as Oak Mountain Elementary School Teacher of the Year in 2010. Her students and co-workers adored her, and she had a gift for making all she knew feel special. She read Roald Dahl’s “BFG” to her students every year and recently asked students to join her for a screening of the movie. Maggie was brought to tears when over 30 students from high school to elementary school age showed up to watch the movie with her.
Maggie attended Tattnall Square Academy before attending The University of Alabama where she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She loved spending time with her family and friends, watching Alabama football, seeing live music, running, and traveling, especially to the beach.
A celebration of life for Maggie will be held today at 11 a.m. at the Church of the Highlands Grandview campus, 3660 Grandview Parkway, 35243.
In lieu of flowers, family and friends have established a college fund to benefit the Russells’ two sons. Please email russellfamilycollegefund@gmail.com.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
