Olivia Klein (Bryson) Russell, 89, a longtime Sedro-Woolley area resident, went to be with Jesus on Thursday, March 4, 2010 at the Mira Vista Care Center in Mount Vernon.
She was born on September 11, 1920 in Bath, South Carolina.
At the age of 3 months the family moved to Macon County, North Carolina where she was raised and attended school.
On June 22, 1937 she was united in marriage to Fritz C. Russell in Clayton, Georgia and they made their home near Franklin, North Carolina until March of 1947 when they loaded up the family and moved to Clear Lake, Washington. They later bought a house and moved to Sedro-Woolley where they lived and raised their family until 1961 when they purchased a ranch just outside of Lyman.
Libby loved to can and make preserves and she was famous for her pickled beans, chow-chow and cat head biscuits (called that because they were as big as a cat’s head) & gravy. People often said she made the best tarheel beans and cornbread they had ever tasted.
In 1968 the family moved to Punkin Center. In 1971 Fritz passed away and Libby lived there until moving to Country Meadow Village in Sedro-Woolley in 2006.
She was a longtime member of the Hamilton First Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir as long as she was able. Over the years she made beautiful hand sewn quilts for family and friends. Many stitches were taken in her home or at the Concrete Senior Center. Libby also loved to read and only watched TV in later years when the Mariners were on. Her other passion was playing cards, especially Pinochle. She loved Blue Grass music and four part harmony gospel songs. In her younger years she enjoyed jitterbugging to “In The Mood” and was quite a dancer.
People from the upriver area could count Libby during sickness or death, to help take care of them and their loved ones. She’d provide food, comfort and emotional support during times of crisis. She had organized over 240 funeral receptions.
Libby is survived by her children, Freida Hanson and husband, Neil of Big Lake, Alice Sutton and husband, Max of Troy, MT, Larry Russell of Sedro-Woolley, Connie Lewis and husband, Dennis of Petersburg, AK, Fritzi Donaldson and husband, George and Dennis Russell and wife, Shelly of Punkin Center and special daughter, Susan Russell of Burlington. Eleven grandchildren, twenty eight great-grandchildren, eleven great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She was proud of all her grandchildren, but especially proud that she was matriarch of seven sets of five generations. Besides her husband Fritz she was also preceded in death by mother, Maude B. Higdon and a brother, Spencer (Shorty) Bryson.
The Russell family would like to express their thanks and appreciation to the wonderful nurses and staff at United General Hospital and Mira Vista Care Center, with a special thanks to Dr. Tina Gupta.
Memorials are suggested to the Light House Mission in Bellingham or to children’s Hospital in Seattle.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, March 13, 2010 at 11:00 AM at Lemley Chapel in Sedro-Woolley with Pastor Wiley Gibson of Franklin, North Carolina and Pastor Ron Edwards of the Hamilton Baptist Church officiating. Interment will follow at the Hamilton Cemetery.
Nanny you are the best adopted grandma I’ve ever had. I miss you dearly. Sorry it took me so long to be able to tell you Nanny. I love you and I know you are with our sweet Lord. You are probably serving cornbread and taters with dilley beans , hot gravy on the biscuts. Those disciples know what Heaven is all about now that you are there. Keep Jesus warm with one of your beautiful quilts. Hug his neck for me and tell Him it won’t be but a little while and we shall all be reunited in the sweet by and by. Sing them a song Nanny. Thank you for all the wonderful love you gave me in this life. I still think the world of you. Miss you. Bless you. Rest now for a minute, you’ll need your strength when the glorious resseurection breaks out with a shout! Hallelujah ! Praise Him!
Until eternity,
your adopted grandson, Mark
We have known Lib for most of our lives. Our families were very close when we were kids and we have many great memories of her. It’s hard to imagine that she is no longer with us, and although we haven’t seen much of Lib in recent years knowing that she’s not around makes us miss her terribly. She was a great cook, quilter, and neighbor. Most important a true friend for the ages. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Russell family. We share your loss. Gods Peace.
Lib will always be missed we did not get to see her in the past years like we should of but thought of her often. She always kept Dennis and I in line. I enjoyed all her cooking. We enjoyed stopping in to see her and hear the latest when we could. I spent time with her and will always remember it in my heart. She was a 2nd mom to a lot of people. I will think of her everytime I have biscuits and gravy. I will miss you.. Mike and Lori Lee
What a lady she was. I still have a quilt Lib, Ma Maude (sp?), and others made for my first wedding. I will cherish it always. I remember mom going to Lib’s and that huge quilt rack they all used to sit around and hand quilt all day.
Like someone posted earlier she always made me feel special and always had goodies to eat.
My heartfelt condolences go out to all the family members, most of which I’ve known all my life it seems. She will surely be missed.
According to my dad Deacon Estes “Lib Russell was the best cook in the Skagit Valley” He always knew he could get a meal there even if it was a cold biscuit.
As a child growing up I have many of the same memories as others who have wrote. Of course the food, all those women setting around a huge quilt laughing, the never ending jars of food that woman processed every year. To this day I can still remember the taste of that home canned sauerkraut.
And, when someone yelled “Nanna has the switch” it was flurry of kids scattering everywhere.
I join with so many others who knew Lib in offering my deepest symapthy on her passing. Although, it is little consolation at this sad time it should be of comfort and satisfaction to know that in her passing you can celebrate the end of a very long and productive life.
May you all find peace and comfort in knowing that this loss is felt by many who knew and loved her.
In Sympathy
Debbie
I love you bunches Nan! You are forever in my heart.
I have so many fond memories of Nanny. I was blessed to have been around her since I was 12 . She made the best Dilly Beans I’ve ever eaten, and her corn…………OHHH! Nanny always made you feel like you were her favorite person, unless the Mariners were on and you would have to wait a minute (Ha).
Take a deep breath, pause…. know that Nanny is with Jesus. May our Lord comfort all of you in your time of loss.
To all of Lib’s family
I knew Lib from when I was about 5 years old, when your family lived on trail road in sedro woolley. I hung out with larry, and spent more time at your house than at mine.Iwas raised by my dad and lib was the mother figure in my life. She was always looking out for me , feeding me and making sure I was ok.I always thought of her as my guardian angel. As I got older I realized how much she helped me through those years. When we lived in tennessee for 6 years ,fritzie brought lib back east and they spent a couple days with us.. It was good quality time and we enjoyed it so. She was always trying to feed us and noone could have a better meal than lib.We loved her lots and she will never be forgotten .
I’m so sorry to hear about Lib. My fondest memories of Lib are when we used to gather at her home to quilt. Also, the potlucks we had. Always had enough food with Lib around. She always had a smile and was glad to see you. I will surely miss her.
My condolences to the entire family.
MaryAnn Estes
New Braunfels, TX
I am so sorry to hear about Your Mom and Grandma.. My heart goes out to you.. God bless and Gods speed.
Libby,
I was so fortunate to have known you throughout my life. You were always at church in Hamilton as long as I can remember and I knew if you were missing from the choir you must have been sick. You were always such as caring person and always had a warm welcome for everyone. You ‘ve touch many lives in such a caring, positive way and we’re all going to miss you. May thoughts and prayers go out to all the family and may God confort all of you during your time of loss.
I would like to send all of Lib / Nanny’s family my warmest thoughts and prayers with the passing of your Mother, Mother in Law, Grand, Great Grand , & Great, Great Grandmother. From the oldest to the youngest, may all of you hold dear to your hearts those many happy memories and life experiences that you endured with her while growing up. I feel very blessed to have known Lib, and have several special memories myself. Lib, was Lib, & I loved her for that. Again, you are all in my thoughts & prayers.
Gina Watts
Arlington
Nanny,
You will always be in my heart and I was truly blessed to have you for a grandmother.
I love you “bunches”