Catherine O'neal Russell

On January 1, 2015, as everyone was celebrating the New Year, Catherine O’Neal Russell joined the saintly celebration in Heaven.  She was born October 8, 1930, in Olney, Texas, to Arch Bishop O’Neal and Jesse Jewell Terry O’Neal.  Growing up during the depression, she experienced many of the same hardships that were common during those hard times. On September 27, 1949, she married Raymond R.L. (Bud) Russell in Muleshoe, Texas, and settled in Midland in 1955.  Throughout their marriage, they shared the food on their table with anyone who crossed their threshold. Catherine lived life to the fullest, with grit and determination, and gave it all she had – right to the end.  There was nothing she couldn’t do, especially if someone told her she couldn’t do it.  She loved family, reading, winning at bingo, knitting, crocheting, quilting, sewing, making jewelry, crafts, and traveling.  Her love of genealogy research resulted in the discovery of a precious sister, Estelle, and it was ‘love at first sight’ as they met for the first time when Catherine was 79, and Estelle was 81.Catherine became a cosmetologist and beautician while raising her young family.  She took in ironing, alterations, sewed for others, and started her own business as an upholsterer, which she continued until she was in her late 70’s.  Nothing was beyond her capabilities – not only did she help Bud build their own home, but she also fixed her own appliances, repaired her own cars, raised her own garden,  tended her own livestock, made her own clothes, and was a charter member of the Northeast Midland County Volunteer Fire Department and an EMT. She recognized when someone needed help and she provided assistance in any way she could.  She was an inspiration to her children, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who recognized the value of her knowledge and wisdom.  She had a vivid memory, and could remember names, places and dates with incredible accuracy.She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 47 years, and two sisters, Lula Mae Rutherford and Juanita Martin.  She will be greatly missed by many, including her children, Raymond Russell (Marilyn), Karen Ann Hughes (Jimmy), Lisa Nelson, Sylvia Watts (Brad), and honorary son and daughter, Jerry Don and Sandi Cheshire; eleven grandchildren, Rhonda Russell Walker (David), Renee Russell, Darryl Russell, Heather Hughes Gurule, Jennifer Hughes, Michael Hughes (Stefanie), Jeremy Nelson, Shannon Nelson, Elizabeth Nelson, Valorie Nelson (James Shock), and Bradley Watts; and nine great-grandchildren. She is also survived by one sister, Estelle O’Neal Harrison, three brothers, J.B. O’Neal, Pat O’Neal (Caroline), and Vernon O’Neal (Donna), an uncle, Hollis Terry, her Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club ladies, the beloved Horton girls and a large number of family and friends.Services will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2015, 11 am, at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Chapel in Midland, with Rev. Jan Reed officiating, assisted by Rev. Jerry Don Cheshire. Visitation will be held from 5 pm to 7 pm at the funeral home on Friday, January 9, 2015.  Interment will follow at Resthaven North Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to your favorite charity.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland.  Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com,