Tommy Ruth (Smith) Russell, 63, of El Dorado Springs, passed away at her home on Tuesday afternoon, June 23, 2020.   

Tommy was born Feb. 25, 1957, in Raleigh, NC, to Thomas R. Smith and Ruth (Smith) Smith.  Tommy attended Flint River Academy in Georgia.  Following in her father’s footsteps,

Tommy worked in banking for 40 years.  She medically retired from Regions Bank as Head Teller in 2008.

Tommy married Ken Russell on Oct. 21, 2005.  She lived most of her life in Georgia, but she and Ken moved to El Dorado Springs eight years ago, gaining a whole new family in the process.

As a teenager, Tommy performed as a clown on skis at Cypress Gardens in Georgia.  She was also in a band, where she played the keyboard and sang.  Tommy was a lifelong fan of the Falcons.  She was a member of the Christian Church [Disciples of Christ], where she held various offices, including administrative assistant and treasurer.  Tommy joined the Eagles in 2013, where she served as treasurer.  She enjoyed her part-time job at ATMS.

Tommy was a very loving, caring and compassionate, spunky person.  Although Tommy never had any children of her own, she had several adoptive grandbabies including Graham and Brooks Jones and Bryce Judd and Mason Thurman, whom she thoroughly spoiled.  She loved her pets. They were her babies.

Preceding Tommy in death were her parents, Thomas and Ruth Smith.  Survivors include her husband, Ken, of the home; two step-daughters, Melissa Fiain and Kimberly Russell; one sister, Georgia Smith Edwards; one nephew; lifelong friend, Ginger Pitts; adoptive nieces, Brenda Warner and Broke Uzdavines; and numerous friends.

A Celebration of Life was held at the Fraternal Order of Eagles 4279; 3310 E. 380 Rd., El Dorado Springs, on Sunday, June 28, 2020.  Following this service Tommy’s ashes will be buried with her parents in Concord, GA. Arrangements were under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers the family requests a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Online condolences may be left at: www.blandhackleman.com.