Rachel A. Russell

Rachel A. Russell of Columbus, Ohio, died Monday, June 13, 2016 at the OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She was born to the late William Wesley and Gertie Newman Holbert on November 23, 1937 in Zanesville, Ohio.

Rachel graduated from Zanesville High School before attending Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio. Rachel also attended Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. She later settled in Columbus with her husband and daughters and worked at the Ohio State University until she retired in 2004. She was also a long time member of Trinity Baptist Church.

Family and Friends were Rachel's joy. She loved traveling and spending time with her dearest friends, beloved daughters, grandchildren and close nieces and nephews. She was enjoying a visit with her cousin in Oklahoma when she was unexpectedly taken home to the Lord.

Rachel is survived by her husband, William "Lee" Russell; daughters Angela Shepherd, Karen (Kevin) Hill, Weslynne (Antonio) Shelton of Columbus and Kimberle Pendergrass of Virginia. Also left to cherish her memory are her grandchildren: Ricardo (Rolanda) Shepherd, DeJuan Shepherd, Micaela Shepherd, Rachel Hill, Alexa Swayne, Justin Hill, Wesley Shelton and Jordan Shelton, all of Columbus, as well as a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to her parents, Rachel was preceded in death by her siblings: Edward Holbert, Thelma Williams, and Harold Holbert.

Family will receive friends on Friday, June 24, 2016 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm at Newcomer Funeral Home, NE Chapel, 3047 E. Dublin-Granville Rd. Columbus, OH 43231. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, June 25, 2016 at 12:00pm preceded by a visitation from 11:00am to 12:00pm, also at Newcomer Funeral Home, NE Chapel. She will be laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens.