Funeral services for Martha Lee (Dillon) Russell, 82, of Nacogdoches, will be held at 2:00 pm on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church with Bro. Gene Bowden officiating. Interment will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery. A visitation will be held prior to the service from 1:00 to 2:00 pm on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. Mrs. Russell passed away on May 11, 2025, in Nacogdoches. She was born on December 5, 1942, in Garrison to the late Elisha Eugene and Mattie Lee (Deason) Dillon.

Ms. Martha was born in the Pine Hill Community, just outside of Garrison Texas. As a young girl she and her family moved around a bit, allowing her father to find work. She and her husband Tommy were married at a young age. They were married at the home of Brother Bill McNease in Garrison Texas. After moving around some, they eventually settled in the Pleasant Hill “Green Town” Community, where they lived out their lives together. Ms. Martha was known as a wonderful cook and baker; every year at Halloween adults would drive for miles not to miss out on her popcorn balls. On one occasion she made a popcorn ball the size of a soccer ball for a young man returning home from overseas duty. She did it out of love for this young man, however that’s who she was; a lady that loved people. Popcorn balls weren’t her only specialty; red velvet cake was a family favorite; and hamburgers as well. She and Tommy Wayne owned a small country store where they operated a grill which created many busy days. Ms. Martha was also a hard worker; she sewed for people from her home, she also worked for Mize Clothing as a seamstress, Jack Derrett Poultry, and Gay Products.

On a greater note, she loved her Church and her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For many years she worked with children from nursery through Sunday school. She was never short on love for anyone. She was Maw-Maw to most young people that met her. Even as they grew into adulthood, she was still Maw-Maw. However, it wasn’t only children she loved; she loved everyone.

Ms. Martha Russell shall be greatly missed by her family and all who knew her.  To know her, was to Love her.

Special Thanks to the staff at Willowbrook Nursing & Rehab and Heart to Heart Hospice, for the care they gave our Beloved Mother and MawMaw.

Survivors

Sons: Richard Wayne Russell and Wife Janet, of Nacogdoches, TX. Jimmy Carl Russell and Wife Kimberly of Nacogdoches TX.  Carl Wayne Russell and Wife Jill of Mt. Enterprise, TX.

Special Mention: Nephew, Homer Eugene Trotter and Wife Evonne of Beckville, TX

Sister: Bobbie Pollard of Garrison, TX

Brother: John Elijah (Buddy) Dillon and Wife Helen of Timpson, TX

Sister-in-Law: Jo Ann (Russell) Trotter Rhodes and Husband Bill of Gary, TX

Grand Children: James Carl Russell, Justin Caleb Russell, James Allen Randall, David Blaine Randall, Erick Wayne Russell, Amy Lee (Russell) Swann, Carlton Cole Russell, and Caleb Cooley

Numerous great grandchildren, nephews, nieces and a host of other family and friends

Proceeded in Death by:

Her Husband: Tommy Wayne Russell

Her Parents: Elijah Eugene (Pete) Dillion and Mattie Lee (Deason) Dillon

Her Daughter-in-Law: Glenda (Mason) Russell