A devoted and loving wife for over 66 years, wonderful mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Mary passed away on September 9, 2007, in Amarillo, Texas. Mary was born on January 4, 1924, at Camp Franklin, Maryland. Oldest daughter of Ivan and Agnes Howitz, she is survived by her brothers, Clifton and Ivan, and her sisters Betty, Gerri, and Shirley. A bright and athletic young woman, Mary met and married the love of her life, Corbitt Russell, a young enlisted soldier stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, on October 28, 1940. With her husband"s departure in the early years of World War II, the strength, character and love of family that were to exemplify Mary throughout her life emerged. With her husband Russ often gone for extended periods in the service of his country, Mary became the bedrock upon which her family grew and prospered. She provided a foundation of discipline and love for her family that she fostered and nurtured throughout her life. Her husband and children were Mary"s life. She rejoiced in their successes and happiness, and supported them in their failures and their times of sorrow. Following her husband"s retirement from the Army in 1966 after nearly 27 years of honorable service to his country, Mary"s first priority remained unchanged. Family was everything to Mary, and each day presented a new opportunity for her to demonstrate that love for all of her extended family. For much of the 24 years of Russ" second career, Mary and Russell resided in Canyon where they built and occupied a home that Mary endowed with the same loving care and attention associated with all the efforts to which she put her mind. A family visit to "Mom"s" or "Grandma"s" house was a memorable experience, and one that guaranteed at least a few additional pounds to each participant prior to its conclusion. A wonderful and kind woman who dearly loved each member of her family, Mary"s strength of character and conviction of purpose is a wonderful legacy to each of us left behind. It is a great loss that her great grandchildren will not have the opportunity to experience that truly awesome, all consuming love. Mary wanted very much to share that love with each of them. Mary is survived by her son, Russell Moore and wife, Rebecca, and daughter, Linda Alvarado, and husband, Jesse; grandchildren and later adopted children, Donavan Moore and Sondra Moore; grandchildren, Rebecca Wooters, Brad Moore, Scott Weaver, Allison McDaniel, Justin Alvarado, Andrea Alvarado, and Ryan Alvarado; great grandchildren, Nicolaas Wooters, Tyler Moore, Faith Wooters, Ashley McDaniel, and Georgia Wooters. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Corbitt Russell, and daughter, Sharon Agnes Moore Weaver. Memorial services will be held at St George"s Episcopal Church, 2516 4th Avenue, Canyon, Texas, on September 13 at 1:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association.