Mary Jean Russell

1956 - 2018

Mary Jean Russell FORT WORTH--Mary Jean Garrett Russell passed away at the age of 92 on Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018, one day after her 71st wedding anniversary to her loving husband, Bishop John Russell, retired United Methodist bishop. CELEBRATION OF LIFE: 11 a.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church. Interment: 11 a.m. Wednesday in Greenwood Memorial Park. MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, Fort Worth, Texas, in her name. Mary Jean was a woman of many talents, including that of a loving wife and mother, a wonderful minister's wife, an accomplished seamstress and a very talented musician. She often shared her talents with others during their appointments in the Oklahoma Conference and in the North and Central Texas conferences of the United Methodist Church. Born to John and Mary Jean in 1956 was a son, John Garrett Russell, whose rare skin disorder, epidermolysis bullosa, presented challenges well beyond those a new mother would experience. Learning all she could about the disorder, she beautifully balanced the ability to lovingly care for him while also challenging him to keep striving. After being told John's life expectancy would not take him to teenage years, he graduated from high school and from Tulsa University, Tulsa, Okla. Without the strength of Mary Jean Russell, John might not have lived to age 25 and been able to do the many wonderful things he did. Those who have predeceased Mary Jean are her son, John Garrett Russell; brother, Louis Garrett; and parents, Wilbur and Alma Garrett. SURVIVORS: Mary Jean is survived by her husband, Bishop John Russell; daughter, Mary M. Layton and her husband, Bill Layton; children, William Layton, Melissa Layton and Meredith Layton; daughter, Deborah Cordaro and husband, Louis Cordaro; sister, Margaret Bergthold; and grandchildren, Jessica and Joseph Layton.