Mary Jo “Sunshine” Russell

Mary Jo “Sunshine” Russell passed from this life on December 5, 2025, surrounded by her family who loved her deeply — the same family she spent her entire life loving with all her heart.

Mary Jo was born on July 28, 1933, in Sayre, Oklahoma. She met the love of her life, Roy E. “Jack” Russell, while waiting tables at the Chuck Wagon in Kingfisher, Oklahoma. Their connection was instant and undeniable — so much so that they married just two weeks later, in August of 1950. Together, their love produced five children, whom Mary Jo adored more than anything in this world. After many years of traveling and working hard, they finally settled in Van Buren in 1966 before buying a house and moving to Roland in 1974. Mary Jo worked at Trane, formerly General Electric, for 34 years and proudly said she loved every single minute of it. Her greatest calling in life, however, was being a mother. She loved all of her children deeply, and that love was evident in everything she did — especially in her unwavering devotion to caring for Pam for 61 years.

Sunshine was a faithful member of the Roland Church of Christ. She taught Sunday school and dedicated years to missionary work through Partners in Progress with the Westark Church of Christ.

Mary Jo is survived by her children: Mary June Lewis of Van Buren, Arkansas; Dr. Roy E. Russell (Dr. Debra) of Van Buren, Arkansas; Nancy Snow (Lonnie) of Muldrow, Oklahoma; and Jackie Russell Norwood of Roland, Oklahoma.

She is also survived by her grandchildren: Freddy Lewis, Ashley Lewis, Tamara Nilsson (Anders), Dr. Brady Russell (Lisa), Scott Russell (Jill), Cheryl Harper, Celeste Griffith (Sammy), Brian Snow, Haleigh Thompson, and Kyah Jo Norwood.

She leaves behind 15 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

She is also survived by one brother, Dr. Jerry Russell of Denton, Texas, and one sister, Dixie Turner (Danny) of Caledonia, Mississippi.

Mary Jo was preceded in death by the late Roy E. Russell; her daughter, Pamela Kay Russell; her mother, Myrtle Russell; her brothers, Charles Bookout and Bill Bookout; her sister-in-law, Gail Russell; her son-in-law, Fred Lewis; and two grandsons, Jason Holt and Trey Thompson.

Visitation will be Monday, December 8, 2025, from 5 – 7 PM at Edwards Funeral Home in Fort Smith.

Funeral Service will be 1:00 PM Tuesday at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel, with burial to follow at Roland City Cemetery.

Online condolences may be sent to, www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.