Mrs. Phyllis Hughes Russell, born on September 19, 1927 in Soddy Daisy, Tennessee, passed away Thursday, November 27, 2025 at age 98. She was affectionately known by her great grandchildren as "Phiddy".

She was the daughter of the late Claude and Gladys Higgins Hughes. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William A. (Bill) Russell; daughter, Sharon Leamon; son in law, Samuel Hicks; stepdaughter, Kathy O'Neil; great grandsons, Jacob and Joshua Hicks; siblings, William (Bill) Hughes, Laura Campbell, Midge Sampley and Joann Hughes.

She was a longtime member of Bayside Baptist Church. She was affectionately known as the "pie lady" to many of her Wednesday night church family. Phyllis was a career hairdresser at shops on Bonny Oaks Drive and Highway 58 where she made many longtime friends. She also counted it a privilege and a blessing to take care of the hair needs of the Bonny Oaks school children for many years.

Phyllis was a "Pink Lady" volunteer at the Standifer Nursing Home, (formerly Hamilton County Nursing Home) for 30 years. She kept the residents' clothes organized and in good condition and she also led the music for the worship service each week.

Phyllis is survived by her daughter, Karen Hicks; granddaughters, Stacey Wilson (Ronnie) and Misty Pettit; grandsons, Scott Hicks, Andrew Hicks (Sheri), and Randy Lewis; step children, Ellen Farmakas (Tom), Laura Glazner (Jon), Mark Russell (Ruby), and son in law Frank O'Neil; sisters, Sue McDonald, Pam, (late Paul) McBrayar, Mary (late David) Hoge; many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellent them all. A woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised, Proverbs 31: 29-30.

The children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren considered Phyllis the Matriarch of their family, with her love, wit, life experiences and wisdom, many stories of times past, and especially her cooking.

Visitation will be Monday, December 1, 2025, from 4 p.m.- 7 p.m. at Turner Funeral Home, 3913 Webb Road @ Hwy 58. The funeral service will be Tuesday, December 2, 2025  at 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with Reverend Grady Cooper and grandson, Reverend Andrew Hicks officiating.

Interment will follow in Hamilton Memorial Gardens, Hwy 153, Hixson, Tennessee.

Pallbearers will be her beloved grandsons and great grandsons: Scott Hicks, Randy Lewis, Andrew Hicks, Ronnie Wilson, Corey Pettit, Spencer Wilson, Chase Hicks and Brandon Lewis.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Phyllis' name to the American Heart Association, 519 E 4th Street, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37403. (423) 763 4400.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Garden Plaza of Cleveland and Bradley Nursing Healthcare for providing such wonderful care of their mother in her last weeks.

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