Gloria LaVonne Russell

GLORIA LAVONNE WRIGHT RUSSELL went home to be with her Lord and Savior at age 71 years 9 months 4 days at her home on April 25, 2014 following a brief battle with cancer. Born July 22, 1942 in Creston, Union County, IA to Norma Lee (Petersen) and Rex Thomas Wright, both native Iowans. Gloria was the firstborn of three children. Predeceased by her grandparents, Hans Filop and Ada Byrle (Dorsey) Petersen, Mary Elizabeth (Flack) Wright (1896-1972) and John Francis Wright (1896-1969), parents Norma (1925-1991) and Rex (1920-1993), brother Tommy (1945-1971) and nephew Adam Thomas Wright (1969- 2011 ). Survivors include her loving husband, Oran Worlick Russell, Jr., son of Lita Mae Truett and Oran W. Russell, whom she married in Dallas on July 20, 1986, her son Johnathan Wright Street (wife, Kathy) and grandson, Jeremy Wright Street, Metairie, LA, sister, Kathy Lee Timmons (husband, Jesse), Carrollton, TX, uncle Keith Francis Wright (wife, Rhetta) Churdan, IA, and cousins, Deborah Lynne Kubish (husband, Dan) Andover, KS, Terresa Carole Reminger (husband, Brian) San Antonio, TX, and Casandra Kae Henricksen (husband, Tim) of Madrid, IA, nephew Eric Christopher Wright, his daughter, Hayley Jade, Anadarko, OK, and his daughter, Taylor McKenzie (Wright) Vasquez (husband, Matt) of El Reno, OK and half-uncle, Ronald D. Wright of Jefferson, IA.

Gloria’s family left Iowa in 1948 and moved to Fort Worth. Since Rex was in road construction, the family often moved and lived in various Texas cities when she was growing up. Gloria was baptized August 7, 1955 at Oak Lawn Baptist Church in Bellmead, TX.

Graduated from North Dallas High School, Dallas, TX in 1960, she earned her undergraduate’s degree from North Texas State University in Denton in 1964. She taught English in Dallas ISD and later worked as a legal secretary.

Gloria held a number of positions in the Houston Genealogical Forum over the past years including being elected to the office of president for four terms. Her contribution and participation in HGF was a source a pride to her and she made many friends. She greatly enjoyed genealogy, sewing and playing Scrabble.

Gloria and sister Kathy are members of the Daughters of the American Revolution tracing lineage through Grandmother Ada Dorsey Petersen.

The family greatly appreciates the tender care and attention given by the Christus Hospice Care during this time.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial made to the Houston Genealogical Forum, PO Box 271466, Houston, TX 77277, an organization close to Gloria’s heart.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home Chapel on Wednesday, 4/30/14 at 11am.

Arrangements under the direction of Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home, Bellaire, TX.