Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Russell

Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Russell, 86, of Clements, MD, passed away peacefully on November 26, 2022 at her home with her family by her side. Born August 3, 1936, she was the daughter of the late Emma (Tennison) Nelson and Mills Nelson. She was the soulmate of the late James Edward Russell, Jr., whom she married on November 22, 1952. Together they raised seven children on the family farm in Clements, MD. Betty was the mother to Jackson (Jack) Francis Russell (Cathy) of Helen, MD, Parran Michael (Mike) Russell (Brenda), Mary Emily (Emmie) Boggs, Elizabeth (Sue) Norris, David Randall Russell (Tammy), and Donald Edward (Donnie) Russell (Beverly) all of Clements, MD. She was predeceased by son James Bernard (Jimmy) Russell of Mechanicsville, MD. She was the grandmother, affectionately known as Nanny, to 15 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Betty was the baby sister of Guy Nelson of Clements, MD, Joe Nelson, and Frank Nelson of Hughesville, MD, George Nelson of Leonardtown, MD, Charles Thompson of Mechanicsville, MD, Agnes Brown of Avenue, MD, Ethel Cooper of Indian Head, MD, Margaret Barrlow of Hughesville, MD, Catherine Turner of Riceville, MD, Edith Wenks of La Plata, MD, Bill Nelson of Mechanicsville, MD, June Bug Nelson of Baltimore, MD, Harry Nelson, Sr. of Coltons Point, MD, Albert Nelson of Coltons Point, MD, Andrew Nelson of Chaptico, MD, Anne Mae Lawrence of Mechanicsville, MD, Marry Harris of Mechanicsville, MD, Violet Raley of Clements, MD, Ginny Copsey of Mechanicsville, MD, and Dorothy Nelson of Mechanicsville, MD. Betty was a lifelong St. Mary’s County, MD resident, a farming wife, and mother to the core of her being. She spent countless hours in her kitchen cooking for the family and farming crew, taking pride in her homemade dishes, countless spice bars, and biscuits which were slathered with her home-made jellies. She spent seasons upon seasons canning and preserving gathered harvests, anything from tomatoes to blackberries, whatever Jr. brought home in a bucket! Betty could be found tending with care her beautiful flower beds that circled the home when the cooking was done and enjoyed with enthusiasm a good bluegrass tune and we would be remiss to neglect her enjoyment of her “stories”-General Hospital to be exact! She also enjoyed playing pitch with her family and friends. She read the Bible and said her rosary religiously every day. But above all, her love of family and faith are what she will truly be remembered for by those she leaves behind. The family will receive friends on Monday, December 5, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM with prayers recited at 7:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Leonardtown, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at 10:00 AM in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Morganza, MD with Father Drew Royals officiating. Interment will follow at Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD. Serving as pallbearers will be Brandon Russell, Jarred Norris, Justin Russell, Austin Russell, Stephen Russell, and Thomas Quinn. Honorary pallbearers will be Carrie and Stephen Boggs and Taylor Russell. Memorial contributions are encouraged to be made to Hospice of St. Mary’s, P.O. Box 625 Leonardtown, MD and St. Joseph Catholic Church, P.O. Box 175, Morganza, MD 20660. Condolences for the family may be made at www.mgfh.com. Arrangements provided by the Matttingley-Gardiner Funeral Home and Cremation Services, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.