Dorothy Jean "Dot" (Byrd) Slade-Russell

Graveside funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday February 18, 2012 at the Poplarville City Cemetery for Mrs. Dorothy Jean “Dot” Slade Russell, 85, of Humboldt, Iowa, formerly of Hattiesburg, Mississippi who died Wednesday February 15, 2012 in Gulfport, Mississippi. Reverend Grady Parker will officiate at the service.

“Dot” lived her life as an example of a Godly woman to all who came in contact with her. More than anything, she loved her Lord and served Him daily, praying for her family and others, always caring, always available to those in need. She loved music, passing that love down to her children and grandchildren as she sang in her church choir or at family gatherings. She was a nature-lover and enjoyed gardening and raising flowers. Her long-time church family at 19th Avenue Baptist Church in Hattiesburg knew her as a student of the Bible and a prayer warrior, as well as a loving friend and mentor to many.

Born in Houston, Texas and raised in the Poplarville, Mississippi area she was born to Charles and Minnie McCoy Moody-Byrd. She was a homemaker and a military wife who traveled the world caring for her husband and family as he served our nation’s interests.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her first husband, Sebron Daniel “S.D.” Slade, Sr.; her second husband; J.C. Russell; one son, Sebron Daniel “Danny” Slade, Jr.; one grandson, Nathan Slade; and one brother, George Byrd.

Survivors include: one son, Eugene Slade and his wife Colleen of Provo, UT; two daughters, Cynthia Sullivan and her husband Dean of Buena Vista, CO and Ellen Green and her husband Curt of Humboldt, IA; daughter-in-law, Kathy Slade of Wade, MS; two brothers, Charles Byrd of Poplarville, MS and Harvey “Rusty” Buckley of Hattiesburg, MS; two sisters, Betty Conn Lee of Gulfport, MS and Jean “Tootsie” Strahan of Hattiesburg, MS; thirteen grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and extended family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed Samaritan’s Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607; www.samaritanspurse.org .

Online condolences may be expressed at www.whitefuneralhomepoplarville.com

White Funeral Home, Poplarville (601) 795-4982.