Rosie Virginia Russell-Thomas

Rosie Virginia Russell-Thomas of Tahlequah, Oklahoma was born to Lizzie Gritts-Adair and Bill Russell on May 6, 1948 and departed this life Monday, January 1, 2024 at the age of 75 years, 7 months and 26 days.

She never met a stranger and loved to carry on lengthy conversations with everybody. Her closest friends will greatly miss their 6-hour phone calls not ending until early morning hours. When not gabbing with besties, she could always be found spending her favorite past time at the nearest casino breaking her curfew – but was lucky at slot machines and winning many door prizes! When her grandchildren were younger, she enjoyed attending their sporting events. She loved shopping, for everything! – she was not picky. She loved her family unconditionally, always being there willing to help anyone through every situation. And if you ever wanted to just visit, you were always invited to have breakfast at Jimmy’s Egg – definitely another favorite past time.

She was a hard worker, having worked for Phillips Petroleum for several years before returning to Oklahoma to later retire from Cherokee Nation. She is a Cherokee Elder whose primary language was Cherokee.

She is preceded in death by her parents and step-father, Redbird Adair, her son, Ronald Orr and step-daughter, Brandy Thomas.

She will be greatly missed by her family, husband, Melvin Thomas of the home, brothers, Burt Russell, Robert Russell and Levi Adair, her four children, Richard Russell, Curtis Russell and wife Cari, David Russell and companion Susan and daughter, Christie Arnall along with her two bonus step-children, Deanna Johnson and spouse Matthew, Amy Duncan and spouse Kurt. Her legacy lives on through her 11 grandchildren, Kyle Russell and fiancée Sam, Isaac Layne Hernandez, Corey Russell and spouse Lauren, Jacob Russell and spouse Cara, twins Jaime Hernandez Jr. and fiance Franky Canchola and Lauren Hernandez, Kelsey Russell, Zachary Russell, Hannah Nichole Russell, Christian Hernandez and spouse Alexis, and Lucas Russell, bonus grandchildren, Logan and Dillon Carrillo, Hunter, Gaven and Ithan Johnson, Pearce, Legend and Maverick Poor, and Cassie Coppock. Her blessings continued with four great-grandchildren, Lenora Rose Russell, Grayson Avery O’Neal, Emery Lynn Hernandez, and Maeve Russell and bonus great-grandchild, Leland Carrillo as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends including her best friend, Maria Alejandro-Winter and bestie-cousin, Barbara Ann Sipes and her closest companion and fur-baby, Misha and special thank you to Gentiva Hospice and Amy Rathan, RN and Carrie Keys, RN.

A time of visitation will be held on Thursday, January 4, 2024 from 1:00pm until 6:00pm at Reed-Culver Funeral Home.

Funeral service for Rosie will be held on Friday, January 5, 2024 at 2:00pm at Cedar Tree Baptist Church in Briggs with Pastor Dale Wilson officiating. She will be laid to rest at Cedar Tree Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers include her grandsons, Isaac Layne Hernandez, Christian Hernandez, Jaime Hernandez Jr, Gavin Johnson, Hunter Thomas, Jacob Russell, Kyle Russell, Pvt. Ithyan Johnson, Lucas Russell, Zachary Russell and honorary pallbearer, Corey Russell.