Willie Ruth Russell

Willie Ruth Malone Russell, 99 of Georgetown, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Saturday, January 6, 2018. Ruth was born to Charlie Wilson Malone and Eva Williams Malone on August 20, 1918, in Georgetown, Texas. She grew up on a farm near the Jonah area. The family moved to Georgetown and Ruth graduated from Georgetown High School and attended Business College in Austin. In the 1930’s she worked for the United States Department of Agriculture when it was housed in the old Georgetown Post Office Building. Ruth married Ralph Russell in 1940 and opened the first Self-Service Laundry at 314 East 6th Street in Georgetown. Ralph and Ruth opened the Georgetown Laundromat in 1954 at 604 East University Ave. and later added the Poly-Clean Laundry on Main St. Ruth managed, and assisted in all levels of operation until the 1990’s. Ruth was a member of the First Baptist Church of Georgetown and later became Main Street Baptist Church.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband Ralph Russell; brothers, Cecil Malone and Charles W. Malone; sisters, Isa Mae Malone, Inez Malone Langston, and Georgia Malone.

Survivors include, her sons, Ralph Russell Jr. and wife Beth; William H. Russell and wife Carol; three grandchildren, Nathan Russell, William H. Russell, and Dr. Christin Andrews; three great grandchildren, Lakyn Russell, Austin J. Russell, and Axel Lane Andrews; and two nephews, Dr. Larry Langston of Fort Worth and Johnny Malone of Georgetown.

A time of visitation will be held Wednesday, January 10, from 10:30AM to 12:00PM at The Gabriels Funeral Chapel, 393 N IH35, Georgetown, Texas. Graveside services will be held following the visitation at I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Georgetown at 1PM.