Rosa Taylor Russell passed away peacefully on January 25, 2019 at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland, MS. Visitation will be held at Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home in Raymond, MS on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Family will greet friends on Wednesday, January 30, 2019 from 9:30 am to 10:30 am at First United Methodist Church in Clinton, MS. A celebration of her life will follow at 10:30 am.
Rosa graduated from Millsaps College in 1957 with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. She went on to earn a Master of Education from Mississippi College in 1963. Her teaching career spanned 37 years mainly focused on Fourth Grade Reading. In 1991 she earned a Specialist in Education Degree.
On May 26, 1958 Rosa married Jimmy Russell in Raymond Mississippi and they began their lives together, as teachers, in Raymond Public Schools. They shared 30 years of love, laughter and friendship together.
After retirement, she enjoyed international travel, gardening, and spending time with friends and family. Her greatest joy was becoming a grandmother and spending time with her grandchildren. Rosa was an active and devoted member of First United Methodist Church in Clinton, MS. Following in the footsteps of her mother, she devoted her time to the Raymond Garden Club and Raymond Culture Club. She was a founding member of the Friends of Raymond Historical Preservation Organization and a member of the Mississippi Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Rosa was born on May 5, 1936 in Jackson, MS to W.P. Taylor and Dora Kelly Taylor. She is preceded in death by her husband, Jimmy Russell and her parents. Rosa is survived by her children, Robin Russell Crossland (Steve) and Scott Russell (Tynia); grandchildren Crews Russell, Matthew Crossland, Mary Elizabeth Crossland, and Ryan Russell.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, First United Methodist Church Clinton MS or The Friends of Raymond MS, Historical Preservation Organization.