Rebecca G. Russell

Rebecca Graham Russell of Birmingham, AL passed away October 4, 2023 at the age of 93 on her mother’s (Mary Graham’s) birthday. She grew up in Woodlawn and graduated from Woodlawn High School. Rebecca met her husband Robert Russell a Civil Engineer on the streetcar to downtown and they were married for 52 years. She was a longtime member of Woodlawn Presbyterian Church, which then became Trinity Presbyterian, where she served the church faithfully in many roles over the years. Upon moving to Leeds, she joined Leeds Presbyterian Church where she enjoyed a new set of wonderful church friends who kept her active in serving the Lord. Rebecca was a homemaker over the years and when her children grew up she worked in church daycares nurturing other children as she did her own with loving care. Her longtime childhood/church friend Merrily Manville talked Rebecca and Bob into moving to Leeds where she and her husband Bob were living. They lived across the cul de-sac from each other and both lived life to the fullest entertaining each other along the way. It goes without saying that Rebecca loved her Auburn football. She was a diehard mega fan and attended games for over 50 years. Along the way she would lose her voice from yelling so loud, sit through storms and always stay to the sometimes bitter end. Yet she would proudly attend church the next day touting her tigers – win or lose. Rebecca’s proud moment was when Charles Barkley came up to her in the Leeds Wal Mart parking lot to talk to her. Why – because he couldn’t help but comment on her “Aubie Mobile” and if you had seen it you’ll understand.

Rebecca was preceded in death by husband Robert C. Russell, son Gary Russell and her brother Connie Graham. She is survived by daughter Jan Needham (Mark), son Mark Russell (Jean), grandchildren Graham Easterwood, Julie Braden (Tyler), Stephanie Russell, Sean Russell, Stacy Snyder (Rodney), Ashley Towery (Damon) and 10 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at Ridout’s Trussville on Wednesday, Oct 11th, with Richard Hanna officiating. Visitation from 10:00am -11:00am followed by service at 11:00am. Burial will follow the service at Jefferson Memorial Gardens

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