Sammie Elizabeth Russell

Sammie was born in Roscoe, Texas. She lived in Gatesville and Mexia, Texas, before moving to Dallas in 1946. She graduated from North Dallas High School in 1947 and from Southern Methodist University in 1951.

Sammie married Dwane Russell in Dallas, Texas, on June 6, 1951. She and Dwane taught in Grand Prairie, Midland, Garland, and Port Arthur, Texas, prior to moving to Nacogdoches in 1966. During her wonderful life in Nacogdoches Sammie participated in a variety of community and business organizations. She became active in the First United Methodist Church as a member of the Open Door Class and as a teacher in the children’s division. In 1977 she opened The Squash Blossom Shop in downtown Nacogdoches where she sold American Indian Jewelry, Antiques and Gifts. Sammie and Dwane worked together and operated the Squash Blossom Shop in Colony Mall for 15 years.

During the years she owned the Squash Blossom Shop, Sammie served as Chairman of the Downtown Merchants Association and later as President of the Nacogdoches Chamber of Commerce. In 1995 she received the Woman of the Year award from the American Association of University Women. In 1997 she received the Citizen of the Year award from the Nacogdoches Chamber of Commerce. She also enjoyed participating in TFWC and the Dilettante Study Club.

Sammie remained active in her church and in the Nacogdoches Community for many years until the effects of Alzheimers disease impacted her life. Over the past few years she was blessed to have dear friends, neighbors and church friends with whom to visit. Sammie continued to live life as normally as possible in spite of her memory loss and the other effects of Alzheimer’s disease.

Sammie is survived by her husband Dwane Russell; son Ken Russell and wife Cheryl, grandson Logan of Nacogdoches; daughter Kathy Russell Jahns and husband Joseph of Hermosa Beach, CA; brother Frank L. Williams and his wife Jean of McKinney Texas, as well as nephews, Art Williams and wife Debbie and Frank Williams and wife Susan; great nieces Christine and Niki; and dear cousins throughout Texas and California.

Visitation will be held from 5-7pm, Tuesday, September 3, at Cason Monk-Metcalf, 5400 North Street in Nacogdoches.

Graveside services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 4, at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery, 5127 North Street in Nacogdoches, with Reverend John Bingham officiating.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to support Alzheimer’s research or to the charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, located at 5400 North Street in Nacogdoches. Online memories and condolences may be offered at www.CasonMonk-Metcalf.com.