Naomi Russell

Naomi Florida Smith Russell went to be with her heavenly Father surrounded by her family on January 8, 2019.  She was born on April 16, 1929, in Middlesboro, Kentucky to the late William Boyd and Nellie Watson Smith.  She is preceded in death by the love of her life for sixty-seven years, Arthur Russell, her sons-in-law, Bill Pierce, Jerry Ausmus and Lee Roy West, her granddaughter Melissa West and her infant great-grandson Daniel Goins.  She is also preceded in death by thirteen brothers and sisters and a host of nieces and nephews. 

Naomi truly was the heart of the Russell home.  She had many hobbies, but some of her favorites were gardening and crafting. She had a green thumb and loved to dig in the earth and plant flowers. She had a true entrepreneurial spirit and loved to make jewelry and to paint things gold. She was a wonderful cook and made the best candy, canned goods and biscuits one has ever tasted! She was an eternal optimist and rarely went without a smile. She always tried to uplift others and made sure everyone felt loved and welcome in her home. She loved to shop with her girls for beautiful things and bling, and she left a little sparkle everywhere she went.  Above all of things, she loved to be with her family, and her family loved to be with her.

She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.  She was saved and baptized at a young age and was a member of Gap Creek Baptist Church for many years.  She and Arthur were married and resided in the Red Hill Community of Speedwell for more than fifty years. 

As the matriarch of the family, she was instrumental in raising teachers, musicians, artists, writers, photographers, master craftsmen, accountants, nurse practitioners, salesmen, nurses, equipment operators, police officers, lawyers, managers and excellent caregivers. Despite her humble beginnings in this world, she raised a family of strong, caring and well-rounded adults that will carry on in her absence­—her most cherished accomplishment.

Naomi is survived by:Children, Nancy (late Lee Roy) West, Randy (Cookie)Russell, Charlotte (Graylon) Wilson, Danny Russell, Robin (late Bill and Jerry) Ausmus; grandchildren, Lee Ann (Darrell) Walker, Nichole (Brian) Goins, Candace Russell McMurray, Josh (Donna) Russell, Tonya (Robbie) Davis, Tarra Wilson, Jessica (Steve) Horner, Amanda (David) Taylor, CaraBeth (Jason) Couch;  great-grandchildren, Westlee and Courtney(Bob Dziewulski) Walker, Ciara, Brianna and Leevi Goins, Haley Beth McMurray, Katie Russell, Hunter Davis, Kaitlyn West, Isaiah Daniels, Pierce and Jaxon Taylor, Knox, Bo and Layne Couch; and great-great-grandchild, Wallis Mae Dziewulski. She is survived by her brother, Willard (Betty) Smith and sisters-in-law, Eula Gray Russell Jones, Dorothy Smith and Evelyn Smith.  She is also survived by her special family friends, Izora Glover and daughter Sandra and her caregiver, Hazel Carey.  

Her feisty, flirtacious and witty personality will be sadly missed by her loving family and friends.

The family will receive friends at Gap Creek Baptist Church on Friday, January 11, 2019, from 5:00-7:00 pm with the funeral to follow at 7:00 pm. The graveside service will be at the Russell Cemetery at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 12, 2019.  Services will be presided over by Naomi’s nephew, Tommy Russell, and Dewayne Byrd with the obituary being read by her granddaughter, CaraBeth Couch, and closing prayer delivered by Terry England. Music provided by David Painter.

Darrell Walker, Westlee Walker, Brian Goins, Josh Russell, Robbie Davis, David Taylor, and Jason Couch will serve as Naomi’s pallbearers, and her great-grandsons will serve as her honorary pallbearers.

Arnett & Steele Valley Chapel is in charge of the arrangements..

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