Darlene Luella Russell's Obituary
Darlene Luella Russell was born April 15, 1941 in Lewiston, ID to Madge and Clarence Russell. She passed away on January 11, 2018 at home in Tacoma. Darlene was raised by her aunts, Leona and Violet Russell on a small farm in Lewiston, ID. Leona and Violet were both school teachers.
Darlene graduated from Lewiston High School in 1958. She added Lewis Clark Normal School, Eastern Washington University where she received her BA in Education, and Washington State University where she received her Masters in guidance and counseling. She taught elementary school for one year in Spokane, WA. Following that year she taught in The Franklin Pierce School District for 32 years as an elementary teacher and later as a librarian.
She adopted her son, Ryan Russell, and helped Twila Johnson, her life long friend, raise Justin Johnson. Following their adoption she took a year off to raise the boys. They were adopted from India in 1983.
Darlene was an active member of Parkland United Methodist Church. She sang in the choir, helped with vacation Bible school, worked and lead various Bible studies, served the administrative council as secretary, and nurture committee.
She is survived by her son, Ryan Russell, Justin Johnson, his adopted brother, Twila Johnson, her life long friend, DeLynn Russell, her brother, her nieces and nephews, Judy Smith, Eddie Taylor, Marshall Smith, Brandy Simis, Tristan Smith, Jennifer Smith, and Sasha Jackson.
Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence Russell and Madge Olson, Clarence Abel, her great uncle, Leona Russell and Violet Russell, the aunts who raised Darlene, and one sister, Juanita Taylor.
Darlene will be missed by all that knew her.
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