On Wednesday morning, March 29, 2023, surrounded by her loving family, Constance Rita Russell, affectionately known as "Mama", "Cissy Baby", "Aunt Cissy", "Grandma", "Grànda" and "Queen" to her brother Shorty, transitioned from labor to reward. She left us all broken hearted, but her soul flew freely to meet the Lord, her parents, and siblings in Heaven.

She was born August 2, 1948 to Carl Hairston Russell, Sr. and Florrie Marlene Sitgraves Russell in Winston-Salem, NC. She was one of eleven children reared in their home, and she was spoiled rotten by her parents until they passed away.

Cissy Baby hardly met a stranger and her charismatic personality charmed and captivated all who knew her. She will be sorely and deeply missed.

She attended St. Benedict the Moor Catholic School and graduated from Simon G. Atkins High School in 1966. She attended her beloved Tennessee State University where she was head majorette of the Sophisticated Ladies. In 1969, she pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated at TSU, and they were affectionately known as "The Fine Line of 69'". She graduated in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science and upon graduation, she lived and worked for years as the Director of Parks and Recreation at Hadley Park in Nashville, TN. She later resided in Philadelphia, PA, and Atlanta, GA before returning to Winston-Salem, NC.

She was the owner and operator of Cissy's Salon. She met many friends along the way, and she was a beloved cosmetologist and confidant. The happenings at the shop were always lighthearted and fun, and it was there that she was in her element. She stopped working full time due to her rheumatoid arthritis, but that did not stop her love of styling and everything beauty. She continued to fix hair from her home for many years after her shop closed and also helped with her family business, Russell Funeral Home, Inc. in the evenings until her health declined.

Though her health was not favorable in the last couple of years, there was no amount of pain or adversity that could suppress her courageous and fearless spirit. She fought long and hard and it was her goal to see her great grandson born. She was beyond determined to meet him and to be here for her children and grandchildren. She fought the good fight and lived her life in her own way and on her own terms.

She was reunited in paradise and is resting with her father and mother, Carl H. Russell, Sr. and Florrie Sitgraves Russell; her beloved sister, Charlene Russell Brown; her brothers, Carl W. Matthews, Carl H. Russell, Jr. and Keith Bowman Russell; and her sister-in-law, Genesta Gail Ijames Russell.

Her legacy of love will remain with her children, Charlene Florrie Russell and Charles Tyrone (CaRea) Russell, Sr.; her bonus son and nephew, Carl Hairston (Angelia) Russell, III; her bonus daughter, Michelle King (Lee) Clinton; her grandchildren and the light of her life, Cam'Ron Elijah Russell, Chancellor Caliph Russell, CaRiah Denise Russell, Clemency Celine Russell, Carli Alisa-Grace Turner, Cali Rose Russell, Charles Tyrone Russell, Jr. and Charli Sky Russell; her first great-grandson, Chosen Amaree Russell and his mother, Alexis Amos; her bonus granddaughter, Layah Michelle Clinton; her siblings, Carolyn Ann Russell Webster, Edward Barkley Russell, Christopher Wayne Russell, Sr., Camille Rosemary Russell Love, Cynthia Florrie Russell Bruton, Cedric Labon (Lita) Russell, Carmen Denise Russell Bonham, and Sandra Murdock; her sister-in-law, Sandra Robinson Imes-Russell; special cousins, Paul Foote and Mattie Mae Peebles; special nieces, her nurse, Chelsea Camille Bonham, Carlette Lee Russell, Cynthia Christine Russell, Cédra Melissa Russell, Chloē Jade Russell, Crystal Camille Love, Catrice Russell Miller, Wilhelmina (Kenneth, Sr.) Wilson, Caroline Webster (Jason) DeMarco, Carla Brown (Nathaniel, II) Rumph, Daphne Hammonds, Constance Hammonds (Frederick) Barnes, Erika Denise (Michael) Ijames Wilson and Tia (Frank) Murdock-Gant; special nephews, Clark Anthony (Nihya) Russell, Maurice Clark Brown, Russell Jimi (Dominique) Bonham, Christopher Lamont Pendergrass, Christopher P. Imes, Emile Webster, Jr., Christopher Russell, Jr., Craig D. Russell (Tiffani) Love, Preston Cory Love, Cedric Labon Russell, II, Chamberlain William Russell, Carledward Christopher Russell, Earl Lamont (Eugina) Ijames, and Keith (April) McBride; special great nieces, Njeri Tolliver who accompanied her to countless appointments, Terea Nivens and Jada Amya Russell; her devoted friends, Levetrice "Vern" Walker, Patricia Douglas, Sherry Wigfall, Sandra (Talmadge) Hill,  and Leah Rose Wright; her additional children who have been with her since their childhood, James Walker, Jr., Timothy Cuthbertson, Satorius Moyer, Philip McFadden, Cortez Canty, Porchea Steele, Adrianne Harris, Lisa Wilson, Michelle Williams, Deshana Smith, and Fredrick Turner; and a host of great nieces, great nephews, cousins, the dedicated staff of Russell Funeral Home, Inc., and countless friends whom she loved like family.

Cissy was the life of the party and was loved tremendously. We will never forget you and will always uphold what you taught us, to love each other above everything else. The outpouring of love we have received is beyond anything we could have ever expected or imagined, and we sincerely thank you from the bottom of our hearts and pray God's richest blessings upon each and every one of you.

" But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ ." I Corinthians 15:57

Celebration of life services will be held at 12noon Saturday, April 15, 2023 at St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church, 5000 Noble St. Winston-Salem, NC 27105 with Bishop Todd Fulton officiating.  The family visitation will be held from 11:00am until 12noon on Saturday at the Church.  The Omega Omega Service of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. will be held at 10:30am on Saturday at the Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family humbly suggests donations be made to the Carl H. Russell, Sr. and Florrie S. Russell Scholarship Fund, c/o Mechanics and Farmer's Bank, or to St. James AME Church, Winston-Salem, NC in Cissy's memory. The family also wishes to sincerely thank Dr. Peter Ragonesi and the staff of Novant Health Forsyth Internal Medicine for the compassionate and excellent care provided, to her favorite doctor and surgeon, Dr. Christopher Hunter and his nurse Sydney who provided exceptional care for Cissy and finally to Trellis Supportive Care and her nurse Taylor who were caring and supportive in her final days, we owe you a tremendous debt of gratitude.

The celebration of life service will be live streamed from the St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, NC Facebook page beginning at 12:00noon EST on Saturday, April 15, 2023.