Mary Pauline Russell
AUXVASSE — Mary Pauline Russell of Auxvasse died Friday, May 27, 2011. She was 52.
She was born Sept. 22, 1958, in Washington, Mo., to Ralph and Anna Marie (Marquart) Ballmann.
In 1979, she married Bill Russell, who died in 2006. She married Michael Edward Wood on June 6, 2009.
Her sister, Cheryl Voyles, said that growing up in Washington, Mrs. Russell loved outdoor activities, including going camping and having picnics. Voyles said when they were younger, she and her sister, along with the rest of the family, would look forward to going on a float trip every year.
Mrs. Russell was very close to her family, Voyles said.
“She loved her family, and her grandkids were the most important thing to her,” Voyles said.
Mrs. Russell worked security at the Fulton State Hospital for more 10 years.
Voyles said her sister enjoyed living life to the fullest, and she had an outgoing personality.
“She had a distinct laugh — when she laughed, everyone laughed,” Voyles said.
Mrs. Russel is survived by her second husband, Michael Edward Woods of Columbia; three sons, Ryan Russell of Columbia, Seth Russell and his wife, Seika, of Anchorage, Alaska, and Patrick Woods and his wife, Jessica, of Toney, Ala.; three daughters, Lacey Hodges and her husband, Timmothy, of Macon, Christina Russell of Columbia, and Belinda Woods of Madison, Ala.; one brother, Dennis Ballmann of Columbia; one sister, Cheryl Voyles and husband, LeRoy, of New Haven; and 10 grandchildren.
Her first husband, William “Bill” Russell; a brother, Doug Ballmann; and a sister, Kathy Davis, died earlier.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Parker Funeral Service, 22 N. Tenth Street. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church, 310 W. Main St., in Washington, Mo. Burial will be in Midlawn Memorial Gardens, 7280 Missouri 47, in Union.
Condolences can be posted at parkerfuneralservice.com.
