Shirley Russ Williams

Shirley Russ Williams of Morganton, NC went home to be with the Lord on Monday, June 7, 2010 at Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC. She was born August 26, 1939 in Cleveland County, and was a daughter of Ruby Verlene Johnson Russ of Morganton, and the late William Lee Russ.In addition to her mother, Shirley is survived by her loving husband , Richard D. Williams of the home; children, Tammy Severt and husband, Paul of Valdese, and Mark Richard Williams and wife, Angie of Hildebran; grandchildren, Emily and Carrie Williams, and Andrew and Jonah Severt; brothers, Jack Russ and his wife Ailene, of Morganton and John Russ and his wife Katie, of Pinehurst, NC; a sister, Joyce Brittain and her husband Don, of Valdese and a number of nieces and nephews.In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Alex Williams.She was a graduate of Morganton High School and Wingate and Lenoir Rhyne Universities. She worked many years as a bookkeeper with A & P grocery and later with Burke Pharmacy. She touched the lives of others in many ways through her work with Cub Scouts and children. She was a devoted wife, dedicated mother, and loving sister and daughter. Her greatest legacy will live on through those who knew her as their "Awesome Nana."A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, June 10, 2010 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Rev. Bobby Hallyburton officiating. The family will receive friends following the service. A private family entombment will be held at the Burke Memorial Park Mausoleum. At other times the family will be at the home of Paul and Tammy Severt. Memorial contributions may be made to the Arthritis Foundation, P. O. Box 7669, Atlanta, GA 30357-0669 or to the Lupus Foundation of America, Inc., PO Box 631047, Baltimore, MD 21263-1047.