Mary Ann Russell

Dr. Mary Ann Russell passed away on October 12, 2017, her 85th birthday, at the Murray-Calloway County Hospital. She was preceded in death by her parents, Elginn and Louise Orr Underwood, and her brother Robert Gene Underwood
She graduated from Murray High School in 1950. She received a B.A. from Murray State University in 1954 and a M.A. from Murray State in 1956. She received a Ph.D. from Peabody College, of Vanderbilt University, in 1970.
Dr. Russell was a teacher of English at Murray High School for 32 years. Other teaching experience included Paducah Junior College, Paducah, KY, and Martin Junior College, Pulaski, TN. Dr. Russell was noted for her expertise in teaching Shakespearean Literature, for which she received the Ashland Teacher Achievement Award. Dr. Russell was the first teacher from Western Kentucky to receive this prestigious award.
She was a member of the Murray Woman's Club beginning in 1955, through her death. In later years, she was an associate member of the Music Department. She served as Murray Woman's Club President for two years.
Dr Russell was a member of First Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School for several years. She was a charter member of the Bea Walker Missionary Circle.
Dr Russell is survived by her husband of 65 years, Allen Wells Russell, her son Mark Allen Russell of Paducah, KY, her daughter Lisa Russell Hall, son- in-law James Roland Hall, Jr., and two grandsons, Samuel Devin Hall and Jacob Russell Hall, all of Murray.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 17, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home with Rev. Jim Stahler officiating. Burial will follow in the Murray Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held prior to the funeral service on Tuesday, October 17, 2017 from 12:00 p.m. until funeral hour at the funeral home.
Pall bearers will be Donnie Winchester, John Ryan Winchester, Eddie Rollins, Hugh Edward Rollins, Van Haverstock, and Ricky Miller. Honorary pall bearers are Perry Cavitt, Paul Lyons, Bobby McDowell, E.J. Wood, Durwood Beatty, and Ronald Churchill.
Expressions of sympathy should be made to the Mark Allen Russell Special Education Scholarship Fund, MSU Foundation, 200 Heritage Hall, Murray, KY 42071.
Online condolences can be made at, www.thejhchurchillfuneralhome.com