Norma Jean (Bowman) Russell

Norma Jean Russell was born on January 23, 1940 in Louisville, Kentucky, to the union of the late James Buford and Marion R. Brown-Bowman. She was the eldest of six children born to this union. Norma grew up in the South Louisville community. She was a product of the Louisville Public School System, having attended Georgia G. Moore Elementary School, Jackson Jr. High, and Louisville Central High School, where she was a proud office and library worker chosen because of her proficiency in typing and shorthand. Norma was always a very good student and excelled in all of her educational endeavors. After graduating from Central, Norma further pursued her education by being trained at Columbus Children’s Hospital where she obtained her certification to be a Nurses Aid continued on to become a Licensed Practical Nurse and then on to become a Burn Unit Specialist at Columbus Children’s Hospitals Burn Unit. Norma loved taking care of people but had a special place in her heart for caring for her family and the children at the hospital. While working at Columbus Children’s Hospital she received various honors and awards. Norma later retired from Columbus Children’s Hospital after 35-years of faithful service. Among her many talents and joys were her love for cooking huge soul food meals, poetry, family, and above all was her love for the Lord. After high school Norma left Louisville and moved to Detroit, Michigan where she was united in Holy Matrimony with Charles William Russell on August 14, 1958. They later moved to Columbus. Ohio where they were blessed with nearly 35 years of a loving and committed partnership, separated only by Charles’s death on March 3, 1993. Three children were born to this union and their children can attest to the fact that they were taught the value of trusting in God for all things, loving the Lord, and loving each other. As a child Norma was baptized at “N” Street Baptist Church where she sang in the Youth Choir, was in the Sewing Circle, and faithfully attended Sunday school. In 1974, she was baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost at Union Tabernacle in Columbus, Ohio under the late Bishop Charles Jennings. Norma said she was going to shout it from the rooftops that she was filled with the Holy Ghost; and she opened her window and shouted it. Norma loved the Lord and she faithfully served as an Usher on the Usher Board, as the Secretary of the Adult Sunday school class, and faithfully served at Holy Convocations throughout her years at Union Tabernacle. Norma often wrote poetry for her church as well as for various other organizations. Norma loved the Lord and worked diligently to be like Him in all that she did. Her desire was that one day she would meet the Lord Himself, enter into the pearly gates and suffer no more. She would always quote, “I’m just waiting for my name to be called”. On August 4, 2013 while surrounded by family, God called her by name and she was welcomed into his rest. Norma Jean Russell was greatly loved and will be greatly missed! She leaves to cherish fond and precious memories, her children Quinton Antione Russell, Charles Renoid Russell, and Shara Raynette Patterson (Darrin); her siblings, Catherine Irene Starling (Joseph), Marion Elnora Davis, Sheilia Ruth Bowman, Gerald Keith Bowman (Pamela), and James Kenneth Bowman; a host of relatives, friends, and her Union Tabernacle Family.