Marsha Russell

Marsha Haywood Russell, 73, of Mt. Gilead, also known by her grandchildren as Yaya, passed away peacefully at home with her girls on July 23, 2024 after a long battle with degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, osteoporosis, and a plethora of other ailments that culminated into multiple surgeries, immobilization, and subsequent infections over several years.  

There will be a memorial service officiated by Leila Evans and Michael Williams at First United Methodist Church in Mt. Gilead on Friday, July 26, 2024 at 11:00 with a reception to follow in the fellowship hall. Burial will follow at Sharon Cemetery at a later date. 

Marsha was the daughter of the late Charles and Pauline Haywood of Mt. Gilead. Born June 1, 1951, she dedicated her life to raising her two girls, her craft of educating children, and making sure her shoes matched her outfits…in that order. After graduating from West Montgomery High School in 1969, she received her bachelor’s degree in childhood education from Campbell University in 1973 because she had too much fun as a Pirate at ECU, but not before she earned a D in softball at Peace College. After a year or two of teaching fourth grade, she and her first husband, Wayland Jones, ran a restaurant in Locust, NC, until she decided to go back into the classroom in 1991. She moved back to Mt. Gilead and then married Larry Russell on December 20, 1996. She was a veteran teacher at West Middle School before retiring in 2011, earning many accolades as Teacher of the Year and life-long friendships with students and coworkers. During her decades-long career with Montgomery County Schools, she was well-known for her vast array of rainbow flip flops in every color and her amazing creative and decorative talent. After retirement, she enjoyed being Yaya, painting, making jewelry, building, creating, redecorating, gardening, participating in Chi Sigma, acting in various musicals and plays in the community, and spending as much time in the hot summer sun as she could. Her father once said about her, “She would rather mow the yard than eat when she’s hungry.” Her favorite activities, however, started becoming more difficult for her as her health waned. She was no longer able to walk in 2017, much to the dismay of Walmart employees. She then enjoyed riding scooters while knocking over carefully placed displays in any store she fancied, although always apologetic as she rolled away like a boss. She spent many days in and out of hospitals and nursing facilities with her steadfast determination and her curling iron, of course. Her two girls, emulating Marsha’s iron will, were able to bring her home several times to the comforts of home. Marsha loved nothing more than being at home where she was raised, especially in the summertime, enjoying a tomato sandwich with corn on the cob. 

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Larry J. Russell. She is survived by her daughters, Joanna Mason (Stuart) of Charlotte, and Katie Kimrey (Trey) of Mt. Gilead; Her beloved grandchildren, whom she often admitted were the only reason she kept on living, Kimrey Clark, Charlotte Mason, Caroline Kimrey, Holton Mason, Hayes Mason, and Baxter Kimrey; her brother Bruce Haywood (Jean Ann), nephew Mark Haywood (Kristin), nieces Celia Haywood Blake and Jessica Haywood and their families; Step-sons Russ Russell (Pam) and Todd Russell (Beverly) and their families. She is also survived by a multitude of friends and caregivers who never wavered in their devotion to Marsha: Renee, Paul, and Gladys in her final days. Most notably, she is also survived by her devoted dog, Benji, who never left her side and was a constant source of comfort. What a joyous reunion she is having now with her parents, grandparents, husband, and friends who went before her. She is healed, once and for all. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Chi Sigma Club of Mt. Gilead, First United Methodist Church of Mt. Gilead, or West Middle School of Mt. Gilead.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Marsha Russell, please visit our floral store.