Norma Jean Russell

   Norma Jean Russell was born June 30, 1930, to Paul & Mary (Harnish) Shockney in Union City, Indiana.

   She graduated from Union City Westside High School in 1948. She attended Elkhart Business University and earned a Medical Secretary/Assistant degree in 1949. After graduation, she returned to Union City and worked for Dr. Robert Reid until 1950. She then moved to Richmond, IN and worked in the lab at Reid Memorial Hospital. Later, during the same year, she began working with Dr. John Mader in his private practice.

   She met her future husband, James R. Russell, in 1950 and was married in June of 1951.

   In the mid 1960’s, she went to work for Dr. Dan Hibner and later transitioned to the position of office manager for one the first group family practice in Richmond, Family Medicine. She retired from Family Medicine and moved to Lake Wales, FL in 1991. She continued to work in healthcare after retirement, working in Lake Wales FL, and again after moving back to Richmond, at Pediatric and Internal Medicine Center & Reid Physician Associates. Her career in healthcare spanned 65 years, finally retiring for good at age 85.

   Norma was active in numerous community organizations including local Senior Community Center, Widowed Persons Group, and was Queen mother of the Our Time Red Hats group. Over the years, she served with Richmond Chamber of Commerce Red Coats group, Tarum Shrine Ladies Group, American Heart Association, Medical Assistant Group. She was a charter member of the Delta Theta Tau sorority in Fountain City, IN. She stayed active in the Rodella Home Economics Demonstration Club until becoming house bound in 2020.

   Norma loved working in her rose gardens and flower beds. She loved to travel and was fortunate to travel to Alaska, Hawaii, and cruise the Caribbean. Her love for her family and life will be forever missed by family and friends. There are many that call her their “special Mom” as her caring, love and support were never limited to her family. In the past 4 years while housebound, spending time with her great-granddaughter, Bowie, was the highlight of her life.

   She is survived by her daughters Pamela (Gary) Cawood, Barbara (Brian) Tucker, and her son, James S. Russell; grandchildren Megan (John) Wetzel, Brandi Cawood, Patrick Tucker, Marcy (Shawn) Lee, Joseph (Amanda) Cawood, Justin O’Brien Andrew O’Brien, and Kurtis (Allie) O’Brien; 12 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren, nephews and nieces.

   She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, James R. Russell, her daughter, Marcia Kay Russell, her sisters Lois Davis and Mary Jane Shockney, parents Mary Shockney Shiverdecker  Paul Shockney, special brother-in-law James Davis, and lastly her beloved dog, Frannie.

   Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 20, and Noon-1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 21, at the Smith-McQuiston & Webster Funeral Home. 321 US 27 South, Fountain City. 

   A Celebration of Life will begin at the funeral home at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 21. Interment will follow in Willow Grove Cemetery.