Retired school employee

UNION - Ethel Shirley Russell, 85, of 2501 Lockhart Highway, Union, widow of Willford C. Russell died Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008, at Spartanburg Hospice House.

Mrs. Russell was born in Union, Aug. 17, 1923, a daughter of the late Frazier Shirley and Ruth Middlebrooks Shirley. She was a graduate of Union High School. A member of Mon-Aetna Baptist Church, she was a member and former teacher of the Faye Teague Sunday School Class and a member of the Fannie Stutts Circle. She was a former textile employee and was retired from Union County School District.

Mrs. Russell was the loving mother of two sons: Phillip G. Russell and wife Sybil of Charleston and Dennis C. Russell and wife Barbara of Union; five grandchildren, Phillip G. Russell II and wife Renee, Timothy A Russell, Patrick D. Russell and wife Emily and Stephen M. Russell and wife Stephanie; five great-grandchildren, Megan Russell, Daphnie Russell, Madyson Russell, Mason Russell and Michael Russell; one brother, Freddie Shirley and wife Leila and one sister, Dorethea Goodson. Mrs Russell was predeceased by two sisters, Marjorie Morris and Virginia Redmon.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008, at Mon-Aetna Baptist Church conducted by the Rev. Benny Green and the Rev. James Crocker. Burial will be in Union Memorial Gardens.

Active pallbearers will be Phillip G. Russell II, Timothy A. Russell, Patrick D. Russell, Stephen M. Russell, Bryan Morris and Clint Goodson.

The following are asked to assemble at the church at 2:45 p.m. to form the honorary escort: Members of the Faye Teague Sunday School class, members of Ola Jean Kelly's Sunday School class, Lib and Armel Revels, Danny and Jean Millwood, Bobby and Pam Vaughn, Alice Eades, Mary Frances Fincher, Hazel Greene, Marion McAbee, Carole Ivey, Jean Martin, and Employees of Hospice Care of S.C., Union Unit.

The family will receive friends from 1 until 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008, in the Mon-Aetna Baptist Church Sanctuary prior to the services.

Memorials may be made to Mon-Aetna Baptist Church, 1431 Lockhart Highway., Union, S.C. 29379.

The family is at the home, 2501 Lockhart Highway, Union, S.C.

S.R. Holcombe Funeral Home (www.holcombefuneralhomes.com)