Sylvia Russo

Sylvia Lea Howell Russo "Mimi", of Birmingham passed away on March 7, 2010. Funeral services will be held at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home chapel in Trussville on Thursday, March 11 at 12:00 PM with Dr. Jerry Jenkins officiating. Visitation beginning at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow in Jefferson Memorial Gardens East. Mimi, born in Marion County, Alabama, and the daughter of the late Ruth and Ernest Howell of Haleyville, Alabama, received her teaching degree from Howard College, now Samford University, and was a member of the Birmingham Board of Education for twenty-six years, teaching at Minnie Holman and North Roebuck Elementary Schools. In 1967 she was honored as Birmingham's Favorite Teacher and 1st alternate in the state, receiving generous gifts of flowers, fruit baskets, pieces of furniture and gift certificates. She was a champion team bowler with AARP and stayed active with golf, Bridge, and ceramics at the Shepherd Center. An accomplished seamstress, she designed and made clothes for Patt all of her life. As a teacher, she organized and enjoyed trips including Hawaii, Acapulco, Honduras, and various parts of the United States. She was an active member and Sunday School teacher of the former Woodlawn Church of Christ and the Roebuck Church of Christ for over sixty years. Proceeded in death by her husband, Sylvester B. Russo; four sisters and two brothers, Golda Ingle, Christine Dickinson, Balma Bishop, Delsie Faye Bishop, Denver Howell and Monte Eutaw Howell. She is survived by a loving and devoted family: her daughter, Patricia Lea Wills, and two grandsons, Russell Keith Wills and Daryl Brett (Lisa) Wills, her precious great granddaughter, Adelyn Elise Wills and Janet Wills. Also surviving Mimi are several nieces and nephews and her two loving, devoted Siamese cats, Beau and Muffin. The family wishes to thank Lana Spencer and her In-Home care workers, especially Kathy Cain and Melissa Powell, who went beyond their duties with loving actions to become her special friends. The family is also appreciative of the friends and neighbors who assisted when needed. Mimi shared all she had with those around her and her determined spirit to overcome adversities was an example for all to follow. Her humor, outrageous jokes and laughter enlightened every gathering and cannot be replaced. Our loving and generous person will be greatly missed, but her memory will live on in all who knew her. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Rainbow Omega, PO Box 740, Eastaboga, AL 35260 or to the Humane Society of Birmingham. What we have once enjoyed, we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us (Helen Keller). Jefferson Memorial Trussville directing.