Neilana Mims Russell

Neilana Mims Russell lost her courageous battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia on Saturday, June 6, 2015 surrounded by her loving children, Jason Russell and Megan Brett. She was born in Port Arthur, Texas on September 25, 1946 to Neil Mims and Bertha Mims Saunders. Her formative years were spent in Port Arthur and San Marcos, Texas; graduating from San Marcos High School in 1965. She attended Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, Texas and Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas.

Neilana was the owner and administrator of Mims Classic Beauty College in San Antonio, Texas. Having been founded by her father, Neil Mims, in Port Arthur, Texas in 1932, it is the oldest Cosmetology school in Texas. As an educator, she was extremely proud of the excellent staff she had assembled and the countless number of students that graduated from Mims during her 29 years of service. She kept abreast of her students, past and present, and rejoiced in their successes and offered wise counsel and guidance, always. In its 83rd year, the college remains a third generation family operated school.

Her courage and positive attitude during her illness was an inspiration to all who knew her. While undergoing a Stem Cell Transplant at M.D. Anderson, she endured the unbelievable heartache of losing her youngest son, Brandon. Though she was devastated, her courage never wavered. She had lost her "cheerleader", who was determined she would beat this illness, so she resolved to battle even harder for her children and grandchildren to honor Brandon. The role of Mother and Grandmother gave her the greatest joys of her life and she was an amazingly loving and supportive presence in the lives of her children and grandchildren, whom she loved immeasurably. Throughout her illness, her focus was always on her family which strengthened her each day. She had an enormous capacity for love, empathy, and friendship and all who experienced her generosity of spirit in giving of herself have been blessed by her remarkable life.

She is survived by her beloved children, Jason Woodward Russell and wife, Erin, Megan Russell Brett and husband, Evan; precious grandchildren, Preston Woodward Brett, Grant Woodward Russsell, Ann Brownlee Russell, and Kirby Mims Russell; sister-in-law, Terrell Russell Doucette and husband, Joe; sister-in-law, Sue Ann Faver; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of devoted friends and students.

She is preceded in death by her beloved son, Brandon Torrance Russell; father of her children, Torrance Woodward Russell, III; father, Neil Mims; mother, Bertha Mims Saunders; brother, Capt. Wayne Parker; niece, Shelley Lee Doucette; mother-in-Law, Pattie Sue Bunn Russell; and father-in-Law, Torrance Woodward Russell, Jr.

The family wishes to thank their special aunt, Terrell (Toey) Russell Doucette for the steadfast care, love, and support she gave to our Mother and all of us throughout our Mother's illness. You have our deepest gratitude. Also, thank you to Dr. Richard Champlin and the Stem Cell Transplant Department at M.D. Anderson, and to Dr. Scott Ulmer and his staff in San Antonio, Texas.

A memorial celebration of Neilana Mims Russell's life will be held Saturday, August 22, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. at Porter Loring Mortuary North.

Those wishing to make a memorial contribution may donate to:

https://gifts.mdanderson.org/mdanderson/main.php/micro_sites/showpage?id=28?actdon=memorialFunctions