Laverne L. Russell

HOLYOKE, Ma. – Ruth Laverne Liddle Russell, 101, formerly of Port Crane, N.Y., passed away on Sept. 19, 2013 at Loomis House Nursing Center in Holyoke, MA. She was born near Holden, Mo. December 31, 1911, the daughter of the late Maude Beck and William Shephard Liddle. She was pre-deceased by her husband of 68 years Leon Charles Russell, and her seven siblings: Louise Liddle, Oakley Kinne, Ona Gillette, Florence Gillette, James Liddle, Waldo Liddle and Pearle Sampson. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Lawrence A. and Susan K. Russell, of Wellington, Fla., and daughter and son-in-law Sandra R. and Judson B. Brown of Northampton, MA; six grandchildren, Sophia R. Russell, Lawrence A. Russell Jr., Landon A. Russell, Jonathan K. Russell, Thalia Brown Lankin, and Ellery R. Brown; six great-grandchildren, Katie, Brandyn, Morgan, Avery and Jesse Russell, and Ethan Russell Lankin; and many nieces and nephews. Moving as a young girl with her entire family to East Windsor, N.Y. from Missouri, Laverne lived in the Binghamton area until 2008, including 56 years in Port Crane. She attended the Mt. Carmel School in East Windsor and Windsor High School. She was officer in the Epworth League at the East Windsor M.E. Church. She completed a hairdressing course at the Binghamton Beauty School in 1935 and ran Laverne’s Beauty Shoppe from her home on Clarendon Street in Johnson City. A devoted wife, mother and homemaker Laverne also was a member of Home Bureau, Past Pocahontas and the Port Crane Methodist Church. She worked in cafeterias for the Chenango Valley School System. She will be laid to rest with her husband in the Port Crane cemetery in a private ceremony. A gathering of remembrance will take place at a time and date as yet unspecified. Memorial gifts in lieu of flowers may be made to the Loomis House Employee Holiday Fund, Loomis Nursing Center, 298 Jarvis Ave., Holyoke, MA. 01040. The family has entrusted New England Funeral & Cremation Center, LLC 25 Mill St., Springfield, MA with the arrangements. Visit www.nefcc.net