Gloria Russell

Gloria Oatis was born in Hattiesburg, MS on December 3, 1948. She was the oldest child of the late Moses L. Oatis and Lillie M. Oatis. As a military child, she lived and attended school in several states, including Virginia, Alaska, and California before settling in Tennessee. She was a 1966 graduate of Pearl High School. She then attended Tennessee State University where she earned her BS and MS degrees in Zoology and Biology respectively.

In May 1968, she married Richard M. Russell. Her two children were born of this union.

She accepted Christ at an early age at Ebenezer Baptist Church, being baptized by Rev. N. Samuel Jones, where she remained a faithful member.

She held positions at Sears & Roebuck, Fort Valley State University, Heilig-Meyers Furniture and J C Penney Catalog. Gloria never had a bad word to say about anyone and was found to be quite entertaining and full of jokes. She loved to talk and share her life’s experiences. When she came in a room, she immediately made it known that she had arrived.

She was preceded in death by her father Moses L. Oatis, her brother Eric A. Oatis, and great granddaughter Taylar-Chanele Rei Russell.

She leaves to cherish her memory, children, Anquilla Russell (Eric Logan), Richard (Nicole) Russell and Tatika Jones; Mother, Lillie M. Oatis; Grandchildren, Zachary Russell, Tyler Thompson, Joya Russell, John Gardner, Maciya Cook, Makaya Cook, Blaine Jones; and Alexander Dement; Great grandchildren, Zachary and Zayleigh. Brother, Ronald A. (Veronica) Oatis, Sr.; Sister, Leandra (Ronald) Cathey Sr.; Nieces and nephews, Roderick, Ronald Jr., and Ashton Oatis, Eric Davis, Phillip (Jasmine) Womack and Venita Williams; Aunts, Leandra Brumfield, Eldora Ayers, Dixie (David) Baker, Nettie Parker, Thelma Price, Lizzie Bournes and Mary Jo Rhodes; Sister-in-Law, Brenda (Ronnie) Terrell. Special friends, JoAnn Jones, Dr. Willodean Burton, Shirley Cannon, Theresa Perkins and Vanessa Munn; Special children, Dionne Childress-Berry, Sonya Crockett, Michael Jackson, Erica Russell, many cousins, great-nieces, great-nephews and friends.