Emma Russell

Emma Reed Russell VIRGINIA BEACH - Emma Atkinson Reed Russell of 3100 Shore Drive, died Dec. 3, 2008, at the age of 95. Emma, also known as "Billie" by many of her longtime friends, was born in Elon College, N.C., Jan. 18, 1913, the daughter of Dr. James Oscar Atkinson and Martha Emma Williamson Atkinson. She attended Stratford Hall and Hollins University. Following her marriage, she moved to Virginia Beach and later to Portsmouth. She was an avid gardener and was a member and president of the Princess Anne Garden Club. She also served as secretary of the Garden Club of Virginia. In addition, she was active in hospital volunteer work. She was a former member of Eastern Shore Chapel and was a founding member of All Saints Episcopal Church in Virginia Beach. She was the first woman to serve on the vestry at All Saints, and she and Charles Russell were the first couple to be married there. In addition to her other interests, she enjoyed many wonderful trips abroad and many happy summers at her beach cottage on the Outer Banks with her children and grandchildren. She was truly an inspiration to her family and friends. Emma was predeceased by her husband, J. Davis Reed Jr., and also by her second husband, Charles E. Russell. She is survived by a son, J. Davis Reed III and his wife Elizabeth of Virginia Beach; a daughter, Martha Anne Reed Ellis of Richmond; a daughter, Pembroke Reed Hoffmier and husband Tom of Williamsburg; a stepson, C. Edward Russell Jr. and wife Cindy of Virginia Beach; and a stepdaughter, Parthenia "Nina" Randolph and husband Bob of Alexandria. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews and her beloved sister-in-law, Anna S. Reed. A memorial service will be conducted in All Saints Church in Virginia Beach, Saturday at 10 a.m. by the Rev. Doctor Stanley W. Sawyer and the Rev. Segar Gravatt. Following the service, a reception will be held in the Anderson-Bayview Room at Westminster-Canterbury of Virginia Beach. Burial will be private in Eastern Shore Chapel cemetery. H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments, Laskin Road Chapel, is handling arrangements. The family would like to thank the nurses and other staff members of Westminster-Canterbury for their wonderful, loving care of Emma during her final years. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to the All Saints Church Endowment Fund, 1968 Woodside Lane, Virginia Beach, VA 23454. Online condolences may be made at www.hdoliver.com.