Betty Jo Russell

Born June 1, 1935, in Andalusia, Alabama, the daughter of Danny and Minnie Belle Spicer.

Before marriage, Betty Jo Spicer won several local beauty pageants and was most proud of being the first civilian named Miss Pensacola Navy in 1959 while starting her career supporting Naval Aviation training at Naval Air Station Pensacola. She served in various positions including as an early-computer punch card operator and retired from civil service at Naval Air Station Chase Field in Beeville, TX.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Dan Russell, and her son Danny Hugh.

Known lovingly as Nanny, Betty Jo is survived by daughter Jodie Russell Plato and son-in-law David of Bay Minette, Alabama, daughter Jayne Patterson Murphy and (Yankee) son-in-law Jim of Pensacola, Florida, Goddaughter Dana Lee Mackie of Pensacola, Florida, grandson Richard Jordan Russell, granddaughter (and Nanny’s Mini-Me) Shelby Cecil, grandson Brody Cecil (The Golden Child), and great-grandson Richard Jordan Russell Jr. She is also survived by several step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of Dan and Betty Jo Russell be made to Wreaths Across America, Barrancas National Cemetery - https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org

A visitation for Betty will be held Friday, February 16, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:15 PM at Oak Lawn Funeral Home, 619 New Warrington Road, Pensacola, FL 32506. Following the visitation will be a committal service from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM at Barrancas National Cemetery, 1 Cemetery Road, Pensacola, FL 32508.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.oaklawnfunerals.com for the Russell family.