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Life Story for Marion D Russ

Marion D  Russ
Marion Deborah Reed Russ, 100, of Montclair, passed away the morning of February 22, 2016. Viewing will be on Monday February 29th from 10-11am at St Paul Baptist Church, 119 Elm St., Montclair. A funeral Service will begin at 11am with an interment to follow at Rosedale Cemetery, Montclair. Services from Caggiano Memorial, Montclair, caggianomemorial.com

Marion was baptized and joined Nazareth Baptist Church in Phenix, Virginia at 7 years old under pastor Reverend Love. She attended Midway School District until she completed her eighth grade education. In 1932 she moved to Montclair, New Jersey and joined St. Paul Baptist Church on Hartley Street under Pastor of A.O. Bell. It was here that she joined the Women’s Usher Board and rendered service for over 60 years. Marion derived personal satisfaction attending Bible study and working on the Helping Hand Committee. Realizing how important community involvement was in helping those in need, Marion joined The Dramdora Group, a public service organization that provided volunteered service in the hospital. In this organization she served as chairperson of several fundraising events for over 40 years. Her volunteerism continued in 1961 when she joined the Montclair Women’s Community Circle, where she served as chairperson of the fundraising committee, sick and upkeep chairperson and remained actively involved until her final years.


Marion married the love of her life, the late James Howard Russ, in 1937. Two children were born into this union: Diana Deborah and Joyce Ann (who passed away shortly after birth).


In the 1930’s Marion was employed as a governess for the children of Dr. Pennington in Bloomfield, New Jersey. Shortly thereafter, she was hired as a light bulb mounter at the Tung Sol Electric Company before moving on to the Westinghouse Electric Company as a filament installer and light bulb coil mounter. She was later promoted to a head mounter and quality control inspector for her unit. After 32 years of service he retired from Westinghouse in 1975 to become a homemaker and care for her ailing siblings until the Lord called them home.


Marion (Deborah, Debor, Gammie) took great pride in caring for her sick family members including her father Walter Reed, brother George Reed, sisters Mable R. Clark, Edith R. Rammie, and Ester Reed as well as her husband James. She especially enjoyed helping her daughter and son-in-law raise their twin grandsons Aaron Russ, Devin Reed, and older brothers Barry Jr. and Paris Alston. Marion prioritized the needs of others throughout her life, often using her vacations to spend extra time with her poorly family members.


Left to cherish her memory is her devoted daughter, Diana Russ Harmon, 4 grand-sons: Barry N. Harmon Jr. (Dusty), Paris Alston Harmon, Aaron Russ Harmon, Devin Reed Harmon and four Great-granddaughters, Nya Diana, Paxtyn Grace, Jordana Faye, Alaina Cori, and one great-grandson, Bryce Andrew Harmon, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins, devoted friends Sarah Coleman, Sarah Taylor, Deacons Joseph and Jennifer Reynolds, Montclair Community Circle Members and many church family members. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donation to St. Paul’s Baptist Church.

Well done my Good and Faithful Servant, now you may rest.

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