Lena Reeves Russ, of Shallotte and formerly of Longwood, died Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015, at Autumn Care of Shallotte. She was 94.
She was born in Nakina on Nov. 17, 1920, to parents John and Fannie Reeves. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Rudaw Russ; a son, Larry Russ; a daughter-in-law, Martha Russ; the proud parents of her granddaughters, Angie and Lynette; brothers, Paul, Leo and Carol Reeves; a sister, Evelyn Gentry; and another daughter-in-law, Sandra Russ.
Lena married Rudaw Russ from the Russtown/Longwood community and was a member of Old Shallotte Baptist Church for all of her adult life and was active in all areas of her church.
Surviving are her daughter, Dianne Russ McKeithan (Lloyd Harold), of Shallotte; two sisters, Sallie Connor, of Gloucester, Massachusetts and Mable Blanton, of Wilmington; grandchildren, Angie Formyduval (Donnie), Lynette Clendenin (Dink), Ricky McKeithan (Mikaela) and Darren McKeithan (Jessica); great-grandchildren, Corey Formyduval, Gabe Formyduval (Shannon), Blair Grissett (Shaunn), Zeke Canady, Alex McKeithan, Hayden McKeithan and Lili McKeithan; and great-great-grandchildren, Gage and Kodi Grissett, Reil Wiley and Kaede Formyduval.
The family would like to thank Autumn Care of Shallotte and staff, Novant Brunswick Hospital and staff, Dr. George Saunders, Dr. Michael Lawrence and a special thank-you to our friend, Evelyn McCumbee, for her weekly visits that mother looked forward to.
Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015, at Old Shallotte Baptist Church by the Rev. Rory Thigpen and the Rev. Landis Lancaster. Burial will follow at Mintz Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to services at the church and at other times at the residence of Dianne and Harold McKeithan, 531 Columbus St., Shallotte, NC 28470.
Casketbearers will be Billy Long, Michael Norton, Billy Inman, Chris Wood, Willard Banks, Dean Banks, Norman Horne, Tim Ivey and Kenneth Grissett.
Mama, Grandma we love you, you were the best in every way.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601-7633 or to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718.
Private online condolences may be sent to the family at www.brunswickfuneralservice.com.
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