Ann Russell

Ann was born the middle child of three girls to Johnny and Ruth (Pilgrim) Burrell of Goodman, MS on June 26, 1935. She was a very outgoing creative girl who loved adventure. Growing up she took piano and tap dancing lessons. She played basketball in high school and was a majorette during which she had the opportunity to march in the Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans. She shared a strong bond with her sisters Carolyn Thomas of Goodman, MS and Sue Jeter of Dade City, Florida which continued throughout their lives. Although they lived miles apart their love for one another never faded.

It was in high school that she met her husband Donald Reid Russell who was attending college at Holmes Junior College on a basketball scholarship. She and Donald raised 5 of 6 children together. While Donald worked as a professor at Ole Miss, Ann took on the duties as a Homemaker which were many. When all the children were older she worked as a receptionist at the Law School at Ole Miss. She enjoyed making pottery, enjoyed reading, was good seamstress, excellent storyteller, gardener, and a 4-H mom to name a few. She was known for her outgoing personality, Southern charm, her quick wit and her beautiful flowers and yard which she took great pride in. Her greatest joy and love was for her family.

Ann was a member of Bellevue Baptist Church for over 60 years. She taught Sunday School, helped with Bible School, played on the church Basketball team and anywhere else she was needed. She truly loved everyone at Bellevue Baptist Church and considered them her second family. She was also a member of the Toccopola and Pontotoc County Homemakers clubs where she formed many long lasting friendships.

She was preceded in death by her husband Donald Russell, daughter Gwen Russell, grandson Evan Russell, parents Johnny and Ruth Burrell, father and mother-in-law, Edgar and Lillian Russell, five brother-in-laws, George Thomas, Jeff Jeter, Bobby Clay Russell, Johnny Cole Russell, Donald (Sparky) Falkner and three sister-in laws, Latona Jane Russell, Rita (Hill) Russell, and Eugenia (Genie) Russell Falkner.

She is survived by her children Barry Reid Russell (Regina), Johnny Clay Russell (Marcia), James Timothy Russell, Sheila Gail Russell Morton (Mike) and Rhonda Diane Russell Robertson (Mike), two sisters Carolyn Burrell Thomas and Sue Burrell Jeter. Fourteen grandchildren Leslie Russell Villarubia (Chip), Cole Russell (Kelli), Ben Russell (Allison), Austin Russell (Emily), Emily Vandiver (Mark), Tracy Russell, Will Russell (Michelle), Matt Russell, Lydia Morton Lytal (Jeremy), Russell Morton (Katrina), Tristan Morton Vierheller (Michael), Madison Robertson Abbott (Jeremy), Stuart Robertson, and Bethany Robertson Hoggard (John). Thirty-one great grandchildren who know her as “Buttercup”, a name given to her by her first great grandchild Ainsley. They are Ainsley and Noah Hale, Annarose, Maren and Molly Russell, Jaxson and Grady Russell, Ivy and MacyJo Russell, Lyla Kate and Linley Vandiver, Isaiah and Emma Russell, Conner, Kinsley and Katie Russell, Greyson and Max Lytal, Cole, NolaAnn and Jack Russell, Judson and Eli Vierheller, Ethan, Sadie, Emma and Anderson Abbott, and Riggs, Reid, Lockland and Anna Lively Hoggard. As well as a host of nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.

Pallbearers will be her Grandsons.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2026, from 12 PM to 2 PM at Bellevue Baptist Church. The funeral service will follow at 2 PM with Bro. Lewis Harrell officiating. A graveside service will be held at Bellevue Cemetery. Browning Funeral Home in Pontotoc is in charge of the arrangements.