Marian Louise Russell, 96, of Kansas City, MO passed away Monday, February 13, 2023, at Anthology Senior Living in Kansas City. She was born on June 10, 1926, in Roodhouse, IL, the daughter of William J and Bessie L Rees. She married P. William "Bill" Russell in May 1951 in Roodhouse. He preceded her in death in May 1987. She is survived by three children: Anne Guthrie (Ray) of Kansas City, MO, Gary (Marsha) Russell of Urbana, IL and Dean (Arlene) Russell of Parkville, MO; four grandchildren: Kathy (Jack) Wagner, Steven (Janna) Russell, Erin Russell, and Kate (Bryan) Shoda; three great-grandchildren: Kori Choi, Kasey Freeman, and Kassidy Wagner; and two great-great-grandchildren: Yuna Choi and Finley Freeman. Marian graduated from Roodhouse High School, Illinois College in Jacksonville, IL and received a Masters Degree from the University of Illinois Springfield. She was one of the first Master Teachers in the State of Illinois. She loved to teach, write, and create musical programs which she accompanied on the piano. As a writer she wrote scripts for educational movies that were filmed and produced by her husband under the name of Russell Film Productions. She also wrote articles for several publications. She taught in the Roodhouse and Jacksonville IL school districts, retiring after 23 years as an elementary teacher at South Jacksonville Elementary School. She relocated to Kansas City in October 2005 where she continued to create musical programs and write poetry. A book of her poems was published shortly before her death. Marian was a lifelong member of the Christian Church Disciples of Christ. She was an active member of churches in Roodhouse, Jacksonville and Kansas City. While residing in Kansas City she fulfilled a lifetime goal of becoming an ordained Lay Minister where she conducted church services, bible studies and also officiated a few weddings. She loved the Kansas City Chiefs and died not long after they won Super Bowl LVII. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. February 20, 2023, at Central Christian Church in Jacksonville, with burial at Jacksonville Memorial Lawn Cemetery. The family will meet friends 10-11 a.m. prior to the service. Memorials are suggested to Jacksonville Public Schools Foundation (for the Teacher Grant Program). The Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be left at buchanancody.com. . Visitation Central Christian Church Monday, February 20, 2023 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM 359 E. College Ave. Jacksonville, IL 62650 Funeral Service Central Christian Church Monday, February 20, 2023 11:00 AM 359 E. College Ave. Jacksonville, IL 62650