Joyel Russell Obituary (1954

Joyel K Russell, 65, fell asleep in death on June 4, 2019, at Virginia Mason Memorial Hospital, after a brief illness. Our mom was born to Merland and Ruth Blair in Arkansas, the third of four children, and was raised in Yakima. In 1970 she married and had us, her two children, Colleen and John. After 10 years our parents divorced but they have always remained friends. The next year she met the love of her life, Paul Eugene Russell. They were married in 1982 and spent the rest of their lives together, passing away only months apart. Eugene loved her with a fierce, unconditional love that is truly rare. He always worked to make her happy and she always made sure he was well fed. Their relationship just worked. In her early 20s Mom met a woman named Debbie and decided that they should be friends. Even though Debbie initially gave her a firm "No thank you" Mom wouldnt take No for an answer and Debbie finally gave in. They remained best friends for more than 40 years and Debbie was at her side when she passed away. Watching their friendship over the years taught us what true friends are. Our mom spent many years in fruit warehouses working on the lines and supervising them. After an injury she became a private caregiver and retired from that work after 20 years. She was warm and generous and known as a person who was kind to strangers. She always helped where she could, whether it was a person or an animal. You could always drop by her house at meal times because she always had plenty to share and she was a great cook. In 1991 our Mom dedicated her life to Jehovah and was baptized as one of Jehovahs Witnesses. She firmly believed in the Bibles promise of a resurrection of the dead (John 5:28, 29). Mom is survived by her children, Colleen Woodcock and John Blair, as well as Johns wife, Angela, who she loved like a daughter. Her most precious grandson Russell Blair also survives her as well as her dear friend Debbie Crane. Also surviving are her two brothers Jim (Jack) Helms and Kinnie Blair and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Eugene, her parents, and her older sister, Virginia Ford. We will miss her so much but are comforted to know that she is now safe in Jehovah Gods memory. We look forward to the resurrection when we will see all of our loved ones again. There will be no formal services.