Dorothy Russell

Dorothy Alvina Russell, age 89 of Dayton, Ohio, passed away Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at Grandview Hospital. She was born November 28, 1931 in Kentucky to the late George and Nora Spencer.

Dorothy was a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was the matriarch of the family acting as a role model using her strong-headed, stable force. She grew up in Campton, Kentucky and moved to Ohio as a young woman where she worked as a nanny, caring for children. Dorothy always cared for children throughout her life as the mother of five, and also looked after the neighborhood children, as well. Dorothy will be dearly missed by her family and by all of those who's lives she touched.

Along with her parents, Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, James Russell and son, James Sparks in January 2021.

Dorothy will be missed by her loving children, Donna Russell (Tony Guerrero), Barbara Turner, Diana (Stephen) Harmeling, Richard (Rita) Sparks; son-in-law, Dean Kennedy and Estelle Byrne, whom she raised like a daughter; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; siblings, Edith McNab, Charlie Spencer and Grace Profit; and family friend, Debbie Arbic.

Family will receive friends Thursday, April 15, 2021 from 12 p.m. until the time of the funeral at 1 p.m. at Newcomer North Chapel, 4104 Needmore Rd., Dayton. Burial Woodside Cemetery, Middletown. The state of Ohio is under a mandatory mask order and requires face masks be worn in all public places.

Contributions may be made in Dorothy's memory to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

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