Mary Alice Bryson Russell answered her Father’s call on Friday, July 26, 2024, after 83 blessed years. She was one of 13 children born to the late Robert Lee and Fannie Lou Bryson on March 22, 1941, in Fayetteville, Tennessee.

At a young age, Mary accepted Christ as her personal Savior and was involved in the church. She was a faithful usher of Mt. Olive M. B. Church until her health failed. She was the founder of Mt. Olive’s Women’s Day, established in 1989. Mary loved her church family.

Mary loved her family. She found joy in talking to her siblings (affectionally known as Celia, Nellie Gray, Babygirl, and Bop) on a regular basis. She was a very joyful, loving, and loveable woman of God. Anyone who knew her, knew her love for praising God, dancing, playing cards, and family gatherings. Mary worked as a homemaker for several families in Lincoln County. She served as a babysitter to many.

Mary was preceded in death by two brothers, Charles William and Tommy Lee Bryson; three sisters, Nancy Jones, Christine Bryson, and Leolar Jennings; and a son, Billy Fitzgerald Russell.

She leaves to cherish her precious memories her children, Anthony Dewayne (Annette) Russell Sr. of Stafford, Virginia, Demetris Elaine (Steve) Robinson, Robert Leo Russell, and Eddrick Hawk of Fayetteville, Tennessee; grandchildren, Sherisa Zuniga, Anthony D. Russell Jr., Sharice Russell, Dionna Moore, Lauren Whitney, Lawrence Whitney, Blessyn White, Ezekial White, Jayvyn Buchanan, Nahziah Howard, Aubrey Hawk, Jeriya Hawk; four great-grandchildren; siblings, Celia Raybon, Nell Bryson, Willie Lou Hawk, and Robert (Bop) Bryson; sisters-in-law: Alice Russell of Woodbridge, Virginia and Charlene Bryson of Madison, Tennessee, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, loved ones and friends.

Graveside services were held Aug. 2, 2024, at Pleasant View Cemetery.

Arrangements entrusted to Grace Memorial Funeral Home, 615 Maple St. W. in Fayetteville.

The family would like to thank everyone for whatever act of kindness shown to them. May God bless each of you.