Eva Rae Gaskin Russell, age 86, of Russell Springs, Kentucky, passed away on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at her Russell Drive home, surrounded by her family.
Mrs. Russell was born on January 18, 1937, in Russell County, to Lilbert Edvert and Sarah Cathern Gadberry Gaskin.
She and Henry Clay Russell, Jr., were united in marriage on February 23, 1952, in Russell Springs. They were married until his death, April 9, 1996. To this union two children were born, Vanessa Pearl and Michelle Doneic’.
In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Russell was preceded in death by a grandson, Seneca Bradford Conover and three siblings, Lucy Myrtle Wilson, Edvert Glen Gaskin, and Oscar V. Gaskin.
Mrs. Russell is survived by her daughters, Vanessa Conover of Russell Springs, and Michelle Barger, and her husband, Terry of Somerset. She is also survived by two grandsons, Damion Anderson, of Russell Springs and Eric Lawson of Portland, Oregon. Three granddaughters survive, Deven Conover and her husband, Jeremy Norris, of Russell Springs, Desiree’ Marrs, and her husband, Jimmy Marrs of Mt. Vernon, Ill., and Sarah Cahill of Nashville, Tenn. Seven great-grandchildren survive, Hannah Anderson (Jared Harrell) of Somerset, Austin Anderson and Emma Anderson of Russell Springs, and Meghan Marrs, Emily Marrs, Ava Marrs and Sophia Marrs, all of Mt. Vernon, Ill. One great-great granddaughter, Tinsley Jo Harrell, also survives. Mrs. Russell is also survived by one sister, Vonnie Mae Shepherd of Bloomington, Ind., and a host of nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Russell was affectionately known as “Granny Eva”. She loved her children and grandchildren. She delighted in cooking for them. She enjoyed canning and freezing the large gardens that her husband Junior grew. She also loved flowers. Her favorites were peonies, gardenias, calla lilies and roses. Granny Eva loved to work outside.
Mrs. Russell was an avid reader, loving Southern writers, including the works of Janice Holt Giles, Harriet Arnow, Jessie Stuart, and others. She loved classic and contemporary authors, Dickinson, Bronte, Whitman, and others. She loved all types of music, classical, country and rock. She also enjoyed the richness of history and followed national politics closely, which she did not mind debating. An avid UK Men’s Basketball fan, she loved the Kentucky Wildcats.
Mrs. Russell was employed at Russell Sportswear, before a career at Union Underwear, later Fruit of the Loom, where she was a sew-pocket. After her retirement, after 33-years, she was employed at Amazon for an additional 15 years. A graduate of Campbellsville Beauty College she also worked as a hairdresser for several years. After retirement, she attended the Russell County Vocational School, completing a course as an Electrician’s assistant.
Mrs. Russell attended the Clear Springs Church and Main Street Church of God, where she served as a Children’s Sunday School teacher. After marriage, she and her family were members of the Russell Springs First United Methodist Church.
Funeral services for Mrs. Russell will be conducted by Bernard Funeral Home in Russell Springs, on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at 2 p.m., with Leonard Pierce, officiating.
Visitation will be Tuesday, May 2, 2023, beginning at 5 p.m. and will resume on Wednesday until the time of service.
Pallbearers will be, Eric Lawson, Jeremy Norris, Terry Barger, Jimmy Marrs, Emily Marrs, and Jared Harrel. Damion Anderson will serve as an honorary pallbearer.
Burial will follow in the Lucenda Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements for Mrs Eva Rae Gaskins Russell are entrusted to Bernard Funeral Home. An online guestbook is available at www.bernardfuneralhome.com.
