RUSSELL, Joan Marie (Joanie)

The Verde Independent, Cottonwood, Arizona Tuesday, July 03, 2012 Joan Marie Russell, passed away June 28, 2012 in Cottonwood Arizona. She was born March 3, 1928 in Des Moines , Iowa to Roswell and Helen Vickerstaff. Joan met the love of her life, Alanson Evans Russell, in college in her chemistry class. They eloped on August 31, 1947. Together they had 3 Sons; the oldest, William Brian Russell born November 4 1948- passed December 28, 1956. Middle son John Howard Russell and the youngest Alanson Evans Russell Jr. She has 8 grandchildren and 11 great- grandchildren. They raised their family in southern California . Joanie was very creative and talented with many hobbies. She knitted, crocheted, and did unbelievably beautiful leather work. She loved being a wife and mother and serving people was what gave her joy. She gave her heart to the Lord Jesus in 1972. In 1973 Joan and Al sailed on a small sailboat to Hawaii , and lived there for 2 years. They enjoyed studying the Bible and writing bible studies together. Joan became widowed in 1999 and came to live with her son John and his family. In 2006 they moved from California to Arizona until now. Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, July 7, 2012 at Calvary Chapel 465 South Calvary Way Cottonwood, AZ 86326. Joan will be laid to rest at Live Oak Cemetery in Monrovia , California.