Ethel Faye (Marcum) Russell

Ethel “Faye” Russell who was born a coal miners’ daughter to James and Liza Marcum in Inman, Virginia passed away peacefully in her home on Saturday February 4th.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years James, her parents, 5 brothers and 4 sisters.

She is survived by 4 children, Janie (Pete), Perette (Steve), James Jr (Melanie) and Toby(Jeff), as well as 4 grandchildren, Leslye, Ashley(Colin), Katherine and Casey, and 2 great grandchildren, Trey and Norah. Her siblings, Georgie, Jenny and Dee and many nieces and nephews.

Faye was born and raised in the coal town of Inman, Virginia where she enjoyed a simple life with her brothers and sisters traipsing around the hills and countryside of Appalachia.  She lost her mother at a young age and was raised by her father and older siblings.

Faye met and fell in love with James and married her sweetheart at age 16.  She lived in and about Big Stone Gap, Virginia with James and her first 3 children until 1971 when the family moved to Indianapolis to begin a new life. She gave birth to her 4th child in 1973 and began a career of babysitting and cared for dozens of children over the next 20-plus years.  She cared deeply for all her “kids”, giving them all nicknames and as much love as any one person could give. 

Faye enjoyed the holidays, especially Christmas and brought much joy and love to all who knew her.  She stuffed the house with more holiday decorations than Santa’s own house!

Faye enjoyed going out to eat, shopping, dancing and talking to people.  She kept in touch with friends and family from back home until the day she died.  Despite living in one of America’s largest cities for over fifty years, Faye never lost her southern charm or small town values as evidenced by her great southern-style cooking and certainly by the cutest little high-pitched mountain twang you’ve ever heard.  We will miss her a lot.

Services for Faye are 7pm Wednesday, February 8, 2017 at the Usher Funeral Home.  Friends may call from 5pm until the time of services on Wednesday at the funeral home.  Online condolences may be offered at usherfuneralhome.com

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