Velma Lee Russell

Velma Lee (Douglas) Russell, 94, went home to be with the Lord on the morning of Friday, April 3, 2020 at Springfield Regional Hospital in Springfield, Ohio. She was born February 6, 1926 in Eufala, Alabama to the late James and Ruth (Davis) Douglas. She moved to Springfield at the age of two years old with her parents. While living on Murray Street and attending school, Velma met her husband, Ralph Herbert Russell. They were married on August 26, 1946 and had seven children together. Velma’s most meaningful and lasting job was loving her husband and seven children. Velma felt her ministry was witnessing to people on the SCAT bus. People still remember her for helping and encouraging them. One of her favorite foods was Valencia navel oranges. She looked forward to Richard Morgan, Sr. bringing them to her when he visited. Velma loved yellow roses, while her favorite color was lavender! She enjoyed playing the piano, which she played very well by ear, and singing gospel music. Her favorite gospel song that she wanted everyone to know was “Jesus is the best thing that ever happened to me” by James Cleveland. Velma enjoyed crocheting dollies, playing non-gambling bingo and dancing in her younger years. One of her favorite dances was called the push and pull. She kept a radio on top of the refrigerator playing all the time. A few of her favorite songs were “If you don’t know me by now” and “Once, twice, three times a lady”; Velma also enjoyed the music by the artist Kool Moe Dee. She leaves to cherish her memory: daughter, Ruth A. Russell-Morgan of Columbus, Ohio who gifted her with five grandchildren: Renee D. Morgan and her two children, Richard D. (Davina) Morgan, Jr. and his five children, Raquel D. (Edward) Morgan-Tillman and their two children, Rhonda D. Morgan and her two children, Russell D. (Shonda) Morgan, Sr. and his three sons (also Kalima C. and her two daughters), son-in-law, Richard D. Morgan, Sr. of Columbus, Ohio; daughter, Edna J. Russell of Columbus, Ohio who gifted her with three grandchildren: Darryl L. Russell, Cathy L. Bush and her four children, and John (Arisa) Russell and their three children all of Columbus, Ohio; and daughter, Cheri L. (Clarence) Russell of Springfield, Ohio who gifted her with three grandchildren: Joseph Welliford, Jaiden Welliford and Jadie Welliford; son, Ralph H. (Theresa) Russell, Jr., (Robyn Hall Russell) of Springfield, Ohio who gifted her with three grandchildren: Robert Hall Russell and his two children, Ralphael (Shereka) Russell and his three children, and Rachael Russell and daughter; and son, Ramon D. (Monica) Russell, Sr. of Springfield, Ohio who gifted her with two grandchildren: Ramon D. (Tiffany) Russell, Jr and daughter, and Andre Russell; special nephew, Roger (Joyce) Douglas, Jr. of California; cousins, Richard (Clarice) Davis, Sr. and family of Springfield, Ohio, Larry (Gwendolyn) Lawrence and family of Springfield, Ohio, Carl Wiggins, Jr. and wife of Katy, Texas, Marveen Anderson and family of Columbus, Ohio, and the Garrison family of Springfield, Ohio; and a host of relatives and friends in Alabama, South Carolina, Cleveland, Ohio, and Springfield, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Ruth Douglas; husband, Ralph H. Russell; brothers, John Douglas, Felton Douglas and Roger Douglas, Sr.; and daughters, Natalie A. Russell born in Columbus, Ohio and Patricia L. Russell born in Springfield, Ohio. Visitation will be held from 10:30 a.m. until the time of graveside service at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 9, 2020 in the Kinley Funeral Home Chapel, 1307 East High Street, Springfield, Ohio 45505. Interment: Ferncliff Cemetery. NOTE: Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Ohio Governor and our city officials have set guidelines and procedures to follow during public gatherings of funeral services. These restrictions have been arranged with the family. Please allow the family to have their private time during the services being held at 11:00 a.m. A larger gathering may be held at a future date (to be announced) at the discretion of the family. Arrangements entrusted to the care of KINLEY Funeral Home.