Joye Crissman Russell of Richmond, Virginia entered the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on February 19, 2012 after a long battle with Ovarian cancer. She was 61 years old.
Joye was born on October 12, 1950 in Graham, North Carolina to Glenn and Elaine Crissman of Aberdeen. She is preceded in death by her father and by her brother Johnny, and is survived by her mother, her husband of 42 years, Herman W. Russell of Richmond, and three children, Tina Lyon (Ed) of Raleigh, Brad Russell (Jo Anny) of Powhatan, Virginia and Ryan Russell (Christie) of Clarksville, Virginia. She is also survived by her five siblings, Jennie Lewis (Wayne), Joel Crissman (Nancy), Jim Crissman (Barbara), Janice Everhart (Robbie) and Judy Davis (Kevin), and her nieces and nephews. The joys of her life were her eight grandchildren, Abbie, Nate, Caedmon, Chesed, Justin, Athan, Charisa, and Holland.
She retired after 19 years of service with the International Mission Board, Southern Baptist Convention having served both in Malawi, Africa and in the home office in Richmond.
She touched the lives of countless individuals as a powerful prayer warrior and through her lifelong work of Christian missions and ministry with her husband both in America and overseas. She also enjoyed late night conversations, game nights and traveling with her beloved friends.
After discovering she had ovarian cancer she spent the next five years ministering to fellow chemo patients and spreading awareness about the disease.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 21 at 5:30 p.m. followed by the funeral at 7 p.m. at Bethany Place Baptist Church in Richmond (1501 South Providence Road, North Chesterfield, VA). A second visitation will be held at Ashley Heights Baptist Church, Aberdeen on Thursday, February 23 at 5 p.m. followed by a funeral at 6:30. Private interment will be held at Bethesda Cemetery, Aberdeen.
In Lieu of flowers the family requests donations be directed in her name to the Baptist Global Response (402 BNA Drive, Suite 411, Nashville, TN 37217) and the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (14 Pennsylvania Plaza, Suite 1710 New York, NY 10122)