WILMINGTON — Mary Ruth Russ, 75, formerly of Shallotte, died Saturday, June 1, 2019.
She was born Sept. 22, 1943, in Brunswick County, a daughter of the late John Preston Lewis and Alda Spencer Lewis. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Michael Russ; and granddaughter, Morgan King.
She was past national president of the Woodmen of the World, and a member of the local lodge, Carolina Bay Board of Residences Representative, a choir member at Camp United Methodist Church, and was honored to help establish Family and Consumer Sciences Program, Mary Russ Endowment at North Carolina State University. She retired from Brunswick County Cooperative Extension.
Surviving are a daughter, Mary Beth King (Michael) of Carolina Beach; son, Stephen Russ of Wilmington; brother, James Lewis (Joan) of Beaufort; sisters, Janet Sullivan (J.B.), Winnabow and Jean Kivette of Raleigh; grandchildren, Emily and Abby King; sister-in-law, Gloria Bland (Harold) of Shallotte; and brother-in-law, Harvey Russ (JoAnne) of Hickory.
A celebration of life will be conducted at 2 p.m., Thursday, June 6, at Camp United Methodist Church, officiated by the Rev. Richard Vaughan. Burial will follow in the Brooks Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. A reception will be held at the home of Gloria and Harold Bland following the services at the cemetery.
The family requests memorials be made to the Mary Russ Family and Consumer Sciences Endowment, at NC FCS Foundation, NCSU, Box 7645, Raleigh, NC 27695-7645; and the Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401.
Share online condolences with the family at Brunswick Funeral Service.
