Faith Bennette (Johnson) Russell

June 20, 1949 - September 17, 2023

Atlanta, GA

Faith Bennette (Johnson) Russell, 74, last residing in Atlanta, GA, passed away on September 17, 2023. She was born on June 20, 1949, in Tulsa, OK, and was raised by her adoptive mother Margaret Belle Dailey in Muskogee, OK.

She graduated from Manual Training High School in 1967, then attended Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK where she earned her Bachelor's Degree to become a Speech Pathologist.  She furthered her education at Oklahoma State University where she received her Master's Degree in Public School Administration.  Faith was the first Black Speech Pathologist in Muskogee Public Schools and was regarded as an esteemed educator in the school system from which she would later retire. She was known for helping many students overcome auditory and speech impairments and for tirelessly working to create an equal opportunity for special education students. In Faith's desire for higher education, she started a journey towards a PhD at the University of Tulsa as well.

In the summer of 1971, Faith married James Henry Johnson. From this union came a son, Brandon and a daughter, Jamese. While both went on to remarry, they stayed in touch throughout their lives.

Faith will be remembered for being a devout Christian and lifelong member of the Lutheran Church.  Her powerful prayers have been shared with many and her prophetic words appreciated by numerous people who came in contact with her.  Her gracious smile and caring demeanor enabled her to make new friends easily.  As an adamant music lover, she shared this passion with her children, which fueled her joy and appreciation for their musical education.  She was cherished by many in her community and was a lifelong member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. As a fully registered Cherokee Nation member, Faith was very instrumental in working with a group of individuals that helped champion the cause to bring equality and rights to the descendants of the Cherokee Freedmen in the mid-2000s. Their effort, along with others, ultimately resulted in the 2017 ruling in favor of Cherokee Freedmen descendants obtaining full rights to citizenship in the Cherokee Nation.  The impact that Faith's life had on everyone around her will be deeply missed.

Faith was a beloved Mother, Aunt, Sister, & "Big Mamma". She is survived by her son Brandon (wife Cindy), and her daughter Jamese (husband Jeremiah), as well as nine grandchildren: Chandler, Chase, Ty, Judah, Levi, Shiloh, Hannah, Grace and Abigail, and two great grandchildren: Oliver and Legend.  She was predeceased by her adoptive mother, Margaret Belle Dailey, as well as her biological parents and siblings, Hess Tilley, Florence Thompson, Annie Mae Thompson and Bobby Thompson.

A public viewing will be held Thursday, September 21, 2023, at Murray Brothers Funeral Home located at 1199 Utoy Springs Rd, SW Atlanta, GA 30331 between the hours of 1pm and 4pm.

A funeral service will be held in Muskogee, OK on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at House of Winn Funeral Home, (2200 Military Blvd, Muskogee, OK 74401). The service will be at 11am and will be officiated by Pastor Schuett of First Lutheran Church of Muskogee, OK.  The burial will take place at Booker T. Washington Cemetery in Muskogee following the service. Public visitation will be held on Monday, September 25th in the Precious Memories Chapel, House of Winn Funeral Home-Muskogee during the hours of 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations/offerings be made to her last church membership Christ Our Hope Lutheran Church 2165 Hwy 138 SW, Riverdale, GA 30296 770-997-3312 in memory of Faith Bennette Russell.

Condolences and memories can be shared at either participating funeral home:

https://www.houseofwinn.com/obituary/faith-daily-russell
https://www.mbfh.com/obituary/ms-faith-russell

Faith Bennette Russell will forever remain in our hearts and memories. May She rest in peace.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea… Psalms 46:1-2

Jamese Johnson (Daughter) & Brandon Johnson (Son)

The family has been cared for by House of Winn Funeral Home-Muskogee