Preceded in death by her mother, Mamie Chambers Dillard and stepfather, Walter Gray Dillard; her father, Verne Edward Bolen and stepmother Margaret Ann Bolen; and nephew, Daniel Bryant Johnson. She is survived by her husband, William Christopher Russell, Jr. of Nashville; daughter Mandy Barton Kelley (Ed) of Nashville; daughter Bethany Barton Burns (Jake) of Nashville; sister Marsha Bolen Johnson (Curtis) of Clarksville; sister Sallye Ann Dillard of Memphis; brother James Edward Bolen of Nashville; brother Robert Verne Bolen (Pam) of Franklin; and three grandchildren: Hite Brown, Hutch Brown, and Mary Bolen “Bo” Burns of Nashville.
Born on June 9, 1941 in Union City, TN, Connie attended school in Ridgely, TN, and later at the University of Tennessee Martin where she received her B.S. in Education. She then went on to Memphis State University where she earned her M.S. plus 45 hours in Education. She was passionately committed to teaching elementary school, with a focus on language arts and math. Additionally, she worked as a curriculum writer and is affectionately remembered for her creative learning ideas and strategies. She was honored by state legislators for her work and received awards such as Who’s Who of American Women and Distinguished Career Ladder Evaluator.
After retiring, she started two ministries that were near and dear to her heart. She taught women in the prison system throughout Northwest Tennessee about The Bible, and she led her greeting card ministry by sending notes of support to those in need. She carried on her passion for teaching by sharing the chronological story of the Bible with small groups as well as teaching a children’s version of the Bible. She loved God, studied His word, and spread it to all who would listen!
Visitation will be held November 21, 2020 from 10 a.m. to 12 :00 noon with service to follow at Marshall Donnelly Combs 201 25th Ave North.
Memorial donations may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation at Parkinson's Foundation_Connie Russell. If you prefer to mail a check, please make it out to the Parkinson's Foundation and mail to:
Parkinson's Foundation
200 SE 1st Street
Suite 800
Miami, FL 33131
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