Wilson Little Funeral Home
Purcell-Newcastle, McClain Co., OK
(permission granted)

Mary Jo Russell, age 96 of Purcell, passed away September 18, 2020. Mary Jo was born November 27, 1923 in Purcell, Oklahoma to Charles T. and Lurline Hughes.

Following the death of her mother Lurline, Mary Jo and her sister June Marie were adopted by a loving aunt and uncle, Thomas R. and Mollie Etta Hardy.

Upon graduation from Purcell High School in 1941, Mary Jo worked for her father, T.R. Hardy, at the Purcell Insurance Agency until leaving for San Diego to marry her fiancé, L.A. Russell. Following the end of W.W. II, Mary Jo and L.A. returned to Purcell where they established and worked at Russell Insurance Agency until retiring in 1985. Mary Jo and L.A. were longtime members of First Baptist Church in Purcell. For years, they taught or helped in Sunday School Classes, were actively involved in encouraging and hosting youth groups in their home and shared Jesus any way they could. In her later years, Mary Jo especially loved her Joy Sunday School class, currently taught by Marie Flanigan.

Mary Jo was preceded in death by her husband, L.A. Russell; parents, Charles T. and Lurline Hughes and T.R. and Mollie Etta Hardy; sisters, June Marie Chadwick and Betty Munden and nephew, Thom Chadwick.

Mary Jo is survived by her daughters, Pat Beck and husband Randy and Gwen Jensen and husband Paul; honorary daughter, Anita Chadwick Abraham and husband David; her sister, Barbara Carr; 7 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services are scheduled for 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, September 22, 20202, at Wilson-Little Funeral Home, with Connor Gantz officiating. Send online condolences @ www.wilsonlittle.com.