Margaret Jones
“Peg” Russell
83, Sept. 18, 2021
The world lost a great mother, teacher and writer on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021.
Peg’s teaching career spanned 30 years, at first McIntosh Junior High School and later at Sarasota High School, where she taught ninth grade English and mentor-published the writers’ magazine for Sarasota High School students, “The Sarasotan.” Of her teaching, her four children would proudly tell you, “My mom taught Pee Wee Herman.”
Published for the Chamber of Commerce, Dreamers of Our Past was a history of the city’s founders, which she wrote in collaboration with the Historical Society and others.
Born April 25, 1938, in Burnsville, N.C., Peg was preceded in death by her parents: Dr. Roderic Orlando Jones and Margaret Moore Jones; and her sister: Patricia Jones Goodwill, all of Bradenton Fla.
Growing up on a farm, the Jones sisters were instilled with strong family values and knowledge of animal husbandry. Peg was especially proud of county fair champion Buster, her childhood pet Brahmin
bull with a most-gentle disposition. Now it can be told: The Mallard duck populations of several of Sarasota’s lakes, including its subdivisions, are the offspring of nesting pairs of Mallards introduced there by Peg or one of her children.
Upon retiring to Murphy, Peg pursued interests in writing, church and family, including establishing annual family gatherings at timeshares in delightful locales. She wrote features and op-eds for the local paper and histories, including the book Bear Paw.
She loved bridge and will be missed by surviving members of “The Hotsies,” both in Sarasota, Fla., and in Murphy. She raised her daughters to go to college and her sons to respect women, and she provided a faith foundation for the family at both Church of The Palms and First Presbyterian Church in Sarasota.
Peg was a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority and graduated from Muskingum College in 1961 with a degree in teaching. A listing in the 1991 Who’s Who in America notes her admiration of her husband and children.
She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Mike Russell; four children: Lauren Easey (Allan), Carol Martin (Curt), Seth Russell (Rhonda) and Jay Russell (Amy); five super grandsons: Jeff (Ashley), Zack, Jake (Rebecca), Tristan and Owen; and four smart and beautiful granddaughters: Cayley, Abby, Blake (Jeremy) and Emily; as well as three great-grandchildren: Lila, Greyson and Asher.
Husband Mike remembers that her Thanksgiving dinners were wonderful all-day affairs seating upwards of 30, and sometimes the best toasts were made the night before, at her infamous “turkey stuffing” parties with her closest friends and fellow teachers.
In Murphy, a memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, at Ivie Funeral Home in Murphy. Her minister, Alan Wildsmith, will preside.
The family will receive friends from 9-9:45 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 16 at Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, prior to the services.
A celebration of the life of Peg Russell for the family will be held at her daughter’s house later in the year.
Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, is in charge of all arrangements.
An online guest register is available at www.iviefuneralhome.com.