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Article published Jun 28, 2003
Donald Russell's widow dies

JANET S. SPENCER
Staff Writer

Former South Carolina first lady Virginia Russell died Friday at her home on Otis Boulevard after an extended illness.
Mrs. Russell was the widow of the Honorable Donald S. Russell who was governor from 1963 to 1965 and then served as a federal judge.
In addition to numerous contributions to her community and the dedication to her family, she is remembered for her role as first lady of the state as well as of the University of South Carolina when her husband was president there.
While living in the governor's mansion, Mrs. Russell noticed state seals that had been painted over for many years on the mantle in a large drawing room.
She is credited with having the seals uncovered and brought out in gold relief. They remain that way today.
Mrs. Russell also was responsible for first encouraging tours of the mansion.
Her neighbors, Mary and Thomas Stokes, remember moving to their new residence in Spartanburg as the youngest couple on the street and Mrs. Russell opening her home to them.
"She was a genteel Southern lady. I always felt she was so thoughtful of others from the first time she welcomed us to her home and the neighborhood," Mrs. Stokes said. "She always went out of her way to be thoughtful of other people."
Stokes agreed with his wife. "Mrs. Russell was certainly a lady in the finest tradition of the word," he said.
"Mr. and Mrs. Russell were wonderful people."
John Edmunds, who had been friends with the Russells for 45 years, recalls being a student at USC when the Russells were there.
Mrs. Russell decorated his fraternity house and invited every student to dinner their freshman and senior years.
"She loved the university. She was a very brilliant, well-read woman. She could converse with you on any subject. She kept up with current events," Edmunds said.
After returning to Spartanburg, for
many years Edmunds had dinner weekly with the Russells at the Piedmont Club.
"She was witty and charming. And although she had been in declining health for some time, I'm gonna miss her," Edmunds said.
For 11 years, Mrs. Russell had also won the hearts of caregivers who often called her "pretty lady."
Martina Smalley is a registered nurse and director of Professional Nursing Services that provided around-the-clock care for Mrs. Russell at the Russell residence.
Smalley said she and the three nurses who rotated the duties were deeply saddened by Mrs. Russell's death.
"She was such a warm and gracious lady. In the 11 years we were privileged to care for her, we came to love her as if she were our own mother," Smalley said.
Smalley described a mutual strong bond of trust and respect which she and the nurses shared with Mrs. Russell.
"She was very appreciative of everyone's kindness and thoughtfulness. She had a way of making everyone feel special," Smalley said.
The caregivers recall how Mrs. Russell eagerly let it be known how much her husband and family meant to her.
"The saddest time in her life was when she lost her husband, and the saddest time in all our nursing careers is the loss of such a grand and gracious lady," Smalley said.
Caring for Mrs. Russell was described by Smalley as a once in a lifetime experience.
"And it's one we will never forget," she said.
Among Mrs. Russell's survivors are sons, John of Spartanburg, Don of Columbia and Scott Russell of Houston, Texas.
Funeral arrangements will be announced by the Lanford-Pollard Funeral Home.
Janet Spencer can be reached at 562-7222 or janet.spencer@shj.com.