Verona Russell

Verona Hunt Russell passed away in her home in Snowflake, Arizona on June 1, 2017. She was 86 years old. Verona was born on August 22, 1930 to Jefferson Taylor and Laura Ballard Hunt and was the youngest of 7 children.   She grew up during WWII. She watched two of her brothers, Quince and Paul, go to war and never return. Verona spoke often of her brothers and the fond memories she had of them.  She grew up in Snowflake and moved to Winslow, Arizona with her mother and two of her older brothers, Jeff and Rue, while her father worked on the railroad.  A few years later while living in Phoenix with her eldest sister, Lois, and brother-in-law, Arlo, Verona met the love of her life, William Howard Russell.  Verona and Bill were married, May 21, 1953 in the Mesa Arizona Temple.  They had 4 children; Lolly, Robert, Mike and Diane.  After 2 cities, 6 houses, 16 grandchildren, several jobs, dozens of dogs, hundreds of Sunday roasts, tons of recycled Cool Whip containers, thousands of Pepsi’s, millions of Ding Dongs, billions of Cheetos, countless hugs, tears, and laughs, her sweet husband passed away on Christmas Day 1998.  A few years after his passing, she was delighted to move in with her son and daughter-in-law. She loved being close to family and spent the next 13 years of her life enjoying the comings and goings of her busy children, grandchildren and quickly multiplying great-grandchildren.   The family takes comfort in knowing she is having a grand reunion right now. She will likely be visiting with her mother and father. She will be telling her brothers and sister how much she missed them. She will be meeting the sister she never met. She will be holding her baby son, Bobby, who she has not seen since he was 8 days old. She will be hugging her husband who has, we are sure, been preparing for his love to come to him. While this reunion is happening, her daughter, Lolly, along with her 3 daughters, 5 sons and 18 grandchildren would like to say, “No more pain, no more infirmities, just sweet peace”. Her son, Mike, along with his wife Kristi, 1 daughter, 5 sons and 18 grandchildren wish to tell her, “We’ll see you along the way”. Her youngest daughter, Diane, with her husband, Rod, and 2 daughters have a message for mom, “You’ll be forever 39 in our hearts.”   A reception will be held on Friday, June 9, at her home at 2910 W. Putter Dr. in Snowflake, beginning at 6:00 pm. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2017 at 10:00 am, with a visitation 1 hour prior, at the Main Street Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 48 N. Main St., Snowflake, Arizona. Burial will follow at the R.V. “Mike” Ramsay Memorial Cemetery.   The family would like to thank all those who worked to make Verona’s last days as comfortable as possible. For the past 2 years the family has appreciated the Hospice Staff and all their love and support.  Seeing the tender and kind words for her and the gentle touches of her hand and her hair were appreciated and in her final days she was surrounded by loved ones.