Rachel Brown Cowart Russell

Published 9:00 am Friday, January 22, 2016

Rachel Brown Cowart Russell, 92, of Valdosta, passed away peacefully at her home after an extended illness on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016.

She was born Jan. 31, 1923 in Clyattville, a daughter of the late Robert Ivy and Uldene Husbands Brown. She graduated from Clyattville High School with the Class of 1941 and immediately was employed as a Telephone Operator. She later transferred to the Construction Department as a Secretary/Office Manager, retiring after 38 years with Bell South Telephone Company. Mrs. Russell was a member of First United Methodist Church of Valdosta.

The family expresses their heartfelt gratitude to Bethany Hospice for the wonderful care provided to Mrs. Russell and to the family members.

Mrs. Russell is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Ralph E. Brown, Sr. and Hilda Brown of Valdosta; numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members; and five loving caregivers, Retha Williams, Leisa Williams, Doreene Davis, Tammie Lowe and Tawana Davis. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Ozzie L. Cowart; their son, Buster Cowart; her second husband, Lewis G. Russell; two brothers, R.I. Brown, Jr. and Jerry W. Brown; and two sisters, Lula B. Folsom Finney and Virginia B. Turner.

Funeral service for Mrs. Russell will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016, at the Chapel of Carson McLane Funeral Home, with the Rev. Bob Moon officiating. Private burial will take place in Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10-11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016  at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations to First United Methodist Church, 220 N. Patterson St., Valdosta, GA 31601, or Bethany Hospice, 2700 N. Oak St., Bldg. B, Valdosta, GA 31602.

 Condolences to the family may be expressed online at www.mclanecares.com. — Carson McLane Funeral Home, Valdosta.