Zilla Mae Russell

Zilla Mae Russell, 89, of Biloxi, peacefully passed away in Ocean Springs on April 21, 2015, while surrounded by her family. She was born in Edinburg, MS and lived a long healthy blessed life.
She was preceded in death by her parents; Henry Grady and Maude James; her husband, Ruben Gardner Russell; her son, Lavelle James Russell; her brothers, Wilmer James, Murray James, and Lewis James;and her sister, Gertrude Blocker.
She began her career as a secretary/bookkeeper for Stevens Funeral Home in Union, MS in which she referred to as her hometown. Later she became the first secretary for St. Martin Elementary School where she remained for over 14 years. She worked at St. Martin North and also at St.Martin East.
She is survived by a brother, Harold ""Buddy"" James; two daughters, Lawana (Doug) Cummings, Loraine (Jeff) Torries; six grandchildren, Caymran (Katie) Cummings, Summer (Will) Harris, Maegan (Robby) Montgomery, Jeremy (Dawn) Torries, Brian Torries, and Kyle Torries; two great-grandchildren, Jackson Harris and Maelynn Montgomery (named after her great-grandmother); as well as many caring friends and neighbors.
She was a faithful women who loved God and enjoyed being involved with church. She was a member of Big Ridge Baptist Church for over 50 years, where she enjoyed planning monthly Merry Makers meetings. She was also a seventh grade girl's Sunday school teacher for over 30 years.
Thank you to all the doctors and nurses who lovingly cared for her at Ocean Springs Hospital.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Gideons or Big Ridge Baptist Church Outreach Services.
The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, 2015 at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, Corner of Lemoyne Boulevard and Washington Avenue with a visitation for family and friends two hours prior to the service. Burial will follow in Southern Memorial Park.
An online obituary may be viewed and memories shared at www.riemannfamily.com.