Lois Lawrance Russell

Lois Lawrance Russell, beloved mother, educator, and community leader, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on October 8, 2025 at 101. She is preceded in death by her husband, Wendell H. Russell, and her parents, Inez Highfill Lawrance and Harold Gaines Lawrance. Lois is survived by her daughter, Wendy Ruth Russell, and her husband, Lee Dudka, along with their children, Peter Ivan Dudka (married to Paula Eisenbraun Dudka) and Andrew Wendell Dudka; her son, Lawrance Gaines Russell and wife Melissa Tipton Russell, and her son, Randall Highfill Russell.
Born (June 25, 1924) raised in Elgin, Illinois, Lois graduated from Elgin High School in 1942, completed a AA in 1944 and a master's in international relations in 1947 from the University of Chicago. She began her career at the University of Chicago's Department of International Relations during the post-WWII Nuremberg Trials staffing participants on the committee including Hans Morgenthau. Lois married Wendell in 1947 and moved to Knoxville in 1950. She began her long and storied 46-year teaching career at Knoxville College, a historic HBCU, teaching American History, International Relations, and Political Science. Through her community connections she launched many student careers by securing internships with local businesses, city agencies, and community organizations for 20 years. Her countless social and community connections created linkages between Knoxville's black and white communities. The respect and admiration she garnered with her students, the school's administration and Knoxville city leadership resulted in them depending on her community relationships during the1960s quest for civil rights. After retiring from Knoxville College, she continued expanding educational horizons by working part-time promoting professional nursing education programs at UT Hospital.
During the 60s, she served as President of the Knoxville Chapter and then State Chapter of the League of Women Voters. She was pivotal in establishing various chapters throughout East Tennessee. Her commitment to community service ranged from serving on the Auxiliary Board of the City Ballet, recruiting memberships for the Art Museum, served many terms on the Rohm and Haas/Dow Community Advisory Board and volunteered with the Senior Citizens Home Assistance Services, and Knoxville Intercity Churches United for People. Lois was a Knoxville Symphony and Chamber Concert series season ticket holder for over 45 years often selling group tickets to friends who would enjoy the music together.
She was an active 70-plus-year member of St. Johns Cathedral, organizing alter flower contributions for 40 years. Her adventurous spirit led her to travel extensively, exploring Europe, Russia, South Africa, the Caribbean, and all contiguous states. An Anglophile at
heart, she cherished her time spent in England, including a memorable month-long trip with Wendell just before his passing. Lois, an excellent and adventuresome cook was known for her love of food and entertaining. She hosted salon-style gatherings, served hundreds of guests in her home, and meticulously kept records to ensure every guest never had the same meal twice.
She said, "I wanted a family, to teach, and to travel. I've been able to do all three, for which I'm very grateful." All who knew her will cherish her legacy of love, education, and community service.
The service will be held on Saturday, October 18th at 1pm at St. John's Cathedral 413 Cumberland Avenue, Knoxville, TN.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to St. John's Episcopal Cathedral or Southern Poverty Law Center. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lois, please visit our floral store.