Helen was born on September 5th, 1930, in Doran Cove, Alabama.
Helen and her husband Harold moved from Tennessee to Gardendale in 1969 where they made their home and raised their three boys. Helen was a fixture in the community where she was a member of Gardendale First Baptist Church for 40+ years. She cared deeply for her family, friends, and neighbors. She did this not out of obligation, but because of who she was. She was always the first to offer help. She regularly brought meals to the homes of sick neighbors and friends. She was especially well known for her homemade bread that she made weekly. Helen worked 25+ years at Carraway Methodist Medical Center.
Helen is survived by three sons, James Harold Russell Jr. of Gardendale, Alabama, Phillip Russell, wife Mara, of Albertville, Alabama and Keith Russell, wife Carol, of Suwanee, Georgia. She was predeceased in death by her husband James Harold Russell, mother Willie Mae Ridley, and Father John Oscar Ridley.
Services for Helen will be held Friday, January 5th, 2024, at Ridout’s Gardendale Chapel. Viewing will be from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM and the service will begin at 2:00 PM in the Chapel.
