Loretta Russell was born in Bumpus Mills, Tennessee to Laura Ellen Hargis Taylor and Owen Grady Taylor.  Shortly after she was born, her family moved to Crossville, Tennessee where she was raised. She met her husband, Emery Austin Russell Jr. (deceased) at the University of Tennessee and together they toured the world as he pursued his career in the military with her support and love throughout their 59-year marriage. They raised two beautiful children, Valerie and Rusty, both of whom they were very proud. They retired to Crossville after thirty years of service and began farming.  The last five years, after the death of her husband, she ran a business and pursued her love of flowers and horticulture. She had an amazing ability with plants and flowers. She also mowed and sold hay.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Valerie and Tim Quinkert; three granddaughters, Kelsey (Santhosh), Kayla (Zack), and Kylie. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews whom she loved. She is preceded in death by her son Rusty.

Our family would like to thank Cumberland Regional Medical Hospital, the hospitalists and nursing staff for the great care she received as she battled Covid. Most importantly we are grateful to God, Our Almighty Creator, and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for the Gift of Mom.
The story is told of the minister whose wife died. A friend saw him later that year and said, ‘I’m sorry for the loss of your wife.’ The minister smiled and said, ‘She is not lost, I know exactly where she is.’ While we miss Mom sorely on Earth, we know that she is reunited in Heaven with Dad, Rusty, our ancestors,
and friends.
Thank you for being our friends. 1 Thessalonians 4:13 – 14