Joyce Bennett Russell

Joyce Bennett Russell (96) of Oak Harbor, Washington, passed peacefully on January 26, 2026, attended by her family. She was born and raised in Paris, Tennessee, second daughter and fourth child to Robert Guy Bennett and Annie Louise Bennett (Moses) on December 6, 1929. She had one sister, Jeanne (Sharber), and two brothers, Guy and Robert. She attended E.W. Grove Henry County High School in Paris and graduated in 1947. Following graduation, she attended George Peabody College for Teachers. She worked for the L&N Railroad as a secretary/assistant. She met William Russell in Nashville, Tennessee while he was stationed at Millington Naval Base, and they were married in 1952. Thus began her travels as a Navy wife, taking her to places far from her hometown. They were married for 52 years until William's death in 2005.

Joyce worked in secretarial positions throughout their travels until they finally settled in Oak Harbor, Washington in 1970. She volunteered with the Red Cross in those early years. She also volunteered with the Methodist Church in Oak Harbor for many years providing office assistance and many other church activities. Mom was always giving and caring for church members in addition to family, friends, neighbors, and others. She would cook meals and send encouraging cards for those who were ill, elderly, post surgeries, etc. If one could write the definition of someone who truly followed in the footsteps of Jesus, it was our mother.

Joyce then pursued and obtained her AA degree from Western Washington University. Following this, she began her career as a teaching assistant at Broadview Elementary School. Students who had grown would sometimes seek her out in later years to tell her how much she had positively affected their lives. She retired in 1989. Following retirement, she and William traveled with her sister, Jeanne, and brother-in-law, Clarence Sharber, and family friends. They traveled to England and visited many places in the Pacific Northwest as well as trips to visit with family in the south.

Our mother was a sweet and caring soul with little bits of humor that would pop out randomly, just to keep us on our toes! Her home was always open and welcoming to all, including her children's friends, without question. She loved animals, and we often jokingly called her Snow White as animals and children naturally gravitated to her calm and gentle spirit, with even the most active settling and resting by her presence.

Joyce is survived by her son, Bill Russell (Cory) and daughter, Anne Sanders; grandchildren: Angela Starston (Sanders), Ryan Beck, Jason Russell, and Olivia Russell. Also surviving are her beloved nephews and niece, James Sharber (Kathy), Steve Sharber, Claire Young (Russ), John Sharber (Vicki), and Gary Bennett (Beth), as well as their families.

A memorial service will be held on March 4, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at the Oak Harbor Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First United Methodist Memorial Fund.