Ida Marie Russell

Ida Marie (Farr) Braden Russell was born September 19,1959 to the late Lila M. Farr Alford and Milton Nelson in Canalou, New Madrid County, Missouri. Ida was raised in Fort Wayne, IN. She graduated from North Side High School in 1978.

Marie did not like the name Ida but would rather go by her middle name Marie. If you called her Ida, she would give you that ""Say it again!"" look. Marie was always very playful, and a joy to be with, as well as an inspiration. She was very freehearted and compassionate. In keeping with Marie's loving and generous spirit, it was her decision to become an organ donor, and in doing so, her final act of kindness was to bless someone with the gift of sight. Marie was the kind of person who would help even a stranger in need.

Above all else was Marie's love for her God and her family. Marie had eight brothers and three sisters and many, many, many cousins. She and her husband Willis had helped many family members by welcoming into their home. Until she finally said, in a joking voice, ""No one else will live here unless it's my mother!"" Her mother was the next to move in and the last person Marie lovingly cared for until her death.

Marie met and married her first husband, the late James W. Braden. In this union two children Temple and Dontrell Braden were born after their older brother Marique Farr. Marie met Willis Russell, fell in love and they were married on September 10, 2005. They had 16 beautiful years together. There were no children born to this marriage, however, Marie gained three more beautiful children, Niki Williams, Katrina Mace, and Willis Jr. making them the ""Brady Bunch"" family of six.

Willis was the love of her life. He was the perfect husband and a good father to her children, which was as much as any woman could ask for. When we asked the question; where are the two of you going, all Willis would do is fold his arms and say, ""I'm just driving Miss Daisy."" When Marie became ill, Willis quit his job and faithfully stayed by her side every day until her death.

Marie gave her life to God at an early age. She was a member of Wings of Deliverance Tabernacle Holiness Church, under the leadership of the late Bishop Jimmy Clark Sr.

Marie worked for Peerless Cleaners for 15 years, at ITT for eleven years, ResCare for ten years, before joining the Compass Company for four and a half years as a Program Coordinator and supervisor until her health begun to fail. She was a daughter of the Elks of the America, Morning Star Temple.

Marie loved playing cards with friends and family. Marie had her own set of house rules that you had to go along with it, or she would take back the cards and say, ""Now! Hahaha."" She loved sewing, shopping, and finding a good bargain.

In 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Marie's coworker Cheri Spence coordinated a drive-by birthday celebration. Marie loved it so much, she was seen smiling from ear to ear all day long. Marie was also recognized with a certificate from the State of Indiana House of Representative signed by Senator Phil GiaQuinta for turning 60 years old in 2019. Marie had very special friends to whom she always kept in close contact with. Beverly Harris (BJ), Clair Woods, Terry Woods, and Monica Fields. Marie best friends Tracy Davis-Cannon, and the late Jackie Barns-McCoy; she cherished her God daughter Temika Harris, and a host of uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and friends.

Marie was called home on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at 12:55 am. Family members left to cherish her precious memories are Her beloved husband Willis Russell; Marie's three sons, Marique Farr, Dontrell Braden, Willis (Tia) Russell, Jr. all of Fort Wayne, IN; Three daughters Temple Braden (Travis) Morris; Katrina Russell Mace of Fort Wayne, IN; Niki Williams of Indianapolis IN; Her four sisters; Darlene Farr of Fort Wayne IN; Alvester (Robert) Dunson of Indianapolis IN; Jeanette Nelson of Gary IN; Candis Flowers, of Grand Rapids, MI. Her eight brothers; Robert Farr, Stanley Farr, Eric Farr, Reggie Farr, Darryl Chrisp of Fort Wayne, IN; Bennie (Angela) Chrisp of Kenneth, MO; and Willie ""Shane"" Chrisp Jr. of Indianapolis, IN; Milton Nelson of Gary, IN; Brothers-in-Law Mike (Ada) Russell; Sisters-in-laws; Marla (Charlie) Williams, Linda Russell, Lynette Russell all of Fort Wayne, IN and Renita (Gary) Hopkins of Charlotte NC. Marie was blessed with 18 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Marie was proceeded in death by her parents Lila Alford and Milton Nelson; stepfather Willie F. Chrisp Sr.; Brothers, Lee A. Hester Jr., Sylvester Nelson; sister, Yvonne Nelson-Johnson.

The family wishes to say thank you for your kindness, support, and comforting words.

We gratefully appreciate the cards, flowers, and kind expressions of sympathy during this difficult time.

The Family of Ida Marie Russell

09.19.1959 – 08.18.2021