Susan Lynn (Sterling) Russell

Susan Lynn Russell of Memphis, Tennessee, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Sunday, November 5, 2023 at the age of 67 years old. Susan was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Jean Sterling. She is survived by her loving husband of 48 years, Mike Russell; her son, Josh (Melissa); her daughter, Micah (Jeremy); her grandchildren, Abigail Lindsey, Bailey Nicholson, Caden Russell, Emma Nicholson, Joey Russell, Jack Lindsey and Luke Russell; her brother, Chip Sterling (Betty); her sister, Jo Colavitti (Dana); 13 nephews and 1 niece.

Susan was born and raised in a Christian home in Memphis, Tennessee in the Raleigh area. She attended Raleigh Egypt high school, where she met the love of her life. She found her love for art and made her mark in the halls of her high school that are still there to this day. After high school, Susan and Mike married in 1975. They had their first child, Josh in 1977, and their second child, Micah in 1979. She and Mike raised their children in a loving household with an open door policy for family and friends. Susan’s love for God was passed onto her children on a daily basis. Susan spent the early part of motherhood raising her children, and did not work until they were in high school. She found a work home at Varsity Spirit, working as a contract camps coordinator for Universal Cheerleaders Association, from which she retired after 16 years. She spent the majority of her free time in the garden and making special memories with her 7 grandchildren.  Susan and Mike loved to host weekend pool parties that lasted all day into the night, mostly ending with smores or a fun game of chubby bunny. Susan loved traveling to the white sandy beaches of the gulf coast from an early age with her parents and siblings until the day she moved there in 2020.

Susan’s family is sincerely grateful to the doctors and nurses at Vanderbilt Medical Center and Baptist East Hospital in Memphis for all of their care and support over the past 10 years as she fought this horrible disease. Donations in Susan’s name can be made to alz.org to help raise awareness for and fight Alzheimer’s Disease. Today, we celebrate her life and many memories that have been made.

Memorial Services for Susan were held at 3:30 P.M. Saturday, November 11, 2023 at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland.