DOWNEY - Rita Sawyer Russell passed away at home surrounded by family on July 30.She was born in Nashville, Ill., on Feb. 27, 1930 to John and Martha Sawyer. The family relocated to California in 1943 where she attended school in Huntington Park and met her future husband, William Clark Russell. They married in 1948 and had two daughters. During her adult life, Russell was a Girl Scout leader for 12 years and taught first grade for 20 years. She is survived by her sister, Carmen; daughters, Jill (Victor) and Judy (Gary); grandchildren, Danielle (Freddy), Deanne, Jarrod (Marlene), Joel (Marlis); and great-grandchildren, Alexandra (Nick), Cameron, Carrington and Jacob. She was predeceased by her younger brother, John.

********** Published: August 5, 2010 - Volume 9 - Issue 16