Obituary of Oma Mae Russell

Now in the arms of JesusOma Mae Conley Russell went home to the arms of Jesus on the evening of February 6, 2012. She is survived by Timothy N. & Nora Russell, Nancy & Timothy Kepner, Glenn & Melanie Russell, Christopher L. Russell. Christopher & Connor Russell, Timothy & Alex Russell & Ashley, Nicholas & Stephanie & McKenzie Russell, Erik Russell, Zachary & Mallory Russell & Cameron Whitt. She was a loving influence on all who knew her and she will be missed here. We rejoice that she is a child of God and now at home with him.These are just mere glimpses into Oma's life. It would take more than her 75 years for everyone to tell you of their time with her. Oma Mae Conley Russell went home to the arms of Jesus on the evening of February 6, 2012 in Colorado Springs, CO. She was born October 27, 1936 to Earl Newton & Eldrwa Lee Conley in Tecolote NM. She started out with a struggle weighing only 2 pounds but had a mission here on earth and so her life began. Our Grandpa was a foreman on the Santa Fe Railroad so they moved up and down the line. Mom had three older brothers Newton, Robert (Bobby), & Charles who knew how to tease a little sister. Mom would tell us stories of her "big brothers". Mom told us of life in the early 40's and it wasn't easy but they always managed. Her folks ended up at the section house in Alamogordo in the 40's and mom went to Alamogordo Middle school there. She has made some life long friends throughout her school years and still kept in touch with them. Just after high school Mom meant this long legged Airman who was "jumping cars" at Hi de Ho. Only an hour later he was in a near fatal accident. Little did she know that the man would be her husband one year later. Mom would tell stories of my dad, George, coming to the section house to visit. Our grandma would tease him and of course feed him. Our dad loved my grandma's food. George & Oma were married on October 12, 1955 in Alamogordo, NM. She always said she married him for love but was so glad she was going to see the world by being the wife of a service man. God had other plans! Their first home was a 14 x 8 trailer where they spent their first 3 years of marriage. Just after their first son was born, Mom said Dad came home and wanted to "show her something" and he did. He had bought her a home at 1200 Ridgecrest. It was only a flat plot of land, but the dreams made it come to life. It was only a few blocks from her mom and that made it all the better. Once the house was built and they had moved in, they would walk to grandma's house almost every night. Mom took Tim over and our grandma would watch him while mom worked. A couple years had passed when mom said she was getting something down and fell off the ladder and twisted her ankle. She always said that is when she found out she was expecting her second child…me, Nancy. I was nothing like my older brother who was quiet. Another couple months and she was expecting again. 10 days short of 1 year after I was born she was in the Holloman hospital awaiting the birth of her third child. She said that Dad was there by her side until it was time, and then he went to the father's waiting room. When the doctor came in and told Mom the heart beat is extremely rapid and we are worried. Mom gives birth to Glenn and he is healthy but there was more, another child, Chris. Wait? What? Mom said she told the Doctor he was going to have to tell my Dad. So there they were proud parents of 4 children. Life went on and Mom now stayed home with her children being a great mom and teaching us values and morals. We would go to see our grandma and grandpa often and we were a typical family of the early 60's. As we grew up I remember watching Dad and Mom chase one another "literally" around the house. He was a big man and he would get her giggling and she was all done for. Dad was a Scout leader and Mom a Brownie leader. We would picnic at White Sands or up in Cloudcroft. There were nights of playing hide and seek with my dad while mom made dinner and then would watch us play. Mom would let us play when we came home before dinner she always said "you need to get some fresh air". We were probably under foot. We took walks as a family and it is fond and heartwarming memories. She made our childhood happy!In 1969 my mom went to the hospital with her mother and sat with her while our grandmother went home to Jesus. She helped my grandpa through the loss and then welcomed him into our home. He lived with us for 2 years before it was his turn to go home to glory and Mom was with him as he took his last breathe here. It was only 2 short years later when she watched my Dad fight a huge battle with cancer only to lose after only 3 months. She held his hand also. This is just part of the quiet strength my mom showed us. She could've said she couldn't do it and farmed us kids out, but her answer to the social worker was "but they are my kids". Throughout these times she still took care of the kids and house without allowing her sadness to over shadow her responsibilities. Family first! Even after Dad passed, there were very few times when she would go into her room and cry. I asked her once why and she said because it won't change a thing and will only make it hard on me. How amazing to have that understanding!Mom kept us kids and went to work at Presto Products. She stood 8 hours a day with only a 30 min. lunch and made $1.34 an hour shoving gaskets, but she kept working. She would come home make dinner, check our homework, joke around with us, and then off to bed. Then up again at 4 am. Over the years she was promoted to the Lab where she tested the products for durability, then on to receiving inspector. She made some life long friends at Presto having worked there just shy of 30 years. As home life went she watched the four of us go through our stages barring with us through them all. She always supported us and she was not a pushover. We didn't always agree with her, but she was always there for us. I believe that it made us better adults. She took us on a trip to Six Flag over Texas which was so much fun, then on weekends to the mountains while listening to Simon and Garfunkle. She was a great listener! She was always there for us too. This didn't change even to the next generation.Tim went into the Navy; boy my Mom was proud of him. Glenn went into the Air Force and again, Mom was so proud. She wasn't too excited about the field he chose but still proud. Chris chose to stay in Alamogordo and raise a family. I married an Airman and went traveling. Through the years she was able to visit those of us in the service. One of her great pleasures was to visit different places. When she came to England to visit me she loved to sit on the bench on High street in Banbury and watch people. It just fascinated her to watch the everyday lives of folks.The grandchildren were born during these years, mom took care of her grandsons Chris and Tim from the time they were 6 weeks old. She would watch them all weekend long and then when they were 4 she would watch them during the week after school until 8 or so, as well while still working full time at Presto. She allowed them to play and be kids. When Nick, Erik, and Zack came during a summer she had all 5 of them all day long and still didn't skip a beat. It was truly remarkable to see. She would watch them and laugh at their antics. Mom loved to give hugs to all her grandbabies as she called them. When Mom was 65 Presto closed in Alamogordo, mom still had to make a living but didn't know where to go. She went back to school! Yes, one of her finest accomplishment in her life was to graduate Summa Cum Laude at 68 with her Associates in Business Administration. I have to say I am extremely proud of her. Two years of nose to the grindstone making awesome marks in school. Again, she showed that even in the tough times you can make the best of it if you trust in God and work hard. Her plan after graduation was to get a part time job and travel when she could, but that was not the Masters plan. In 2006, she came up to Colorado Springs to visit and had to stay. The plan had always been for her to live with me when she was "old" but we just didn't think of her that way. She was having trouble breathing and we thought she may have had Pneumonia so I took her to the hospital. That was not that simple, she was rushed to the main hospital with Congestive Heart Failure. I was told at that time she may not make it. Well again, God is in control. She made it through that battle with an attitude of "if it's my time to go I will, but I am going to fight until then". It was amazing to watch her prove the medical community wrong. The doctors were amazed at her resilience as was I. She came home to our house in December of 06 and starting in January of 07 she went to the gym 3 times a week and worked out two hours in water aerobics. I was totally amazed at her. She laughed and made friends. We still had the doctor visits, but she kept moving. In 08 she had a fall at the hospital and that changed everything physically, but her attitude kept strong. She wasn't allowed to move much because the wound was so large on her leg, so she would watch "her TV shows". She would tell me stories while I changed her dressings on the wound. It was not a short challenge for her. It took her 2 ½ years to grow the skin back. She went in and out of the hospitals several times, but kept the fighters attitude every time. We were told several more times that she wasn't going to make it, but she didn't let that dampen her spirit. Mom would just push forward. In every long term care hospital or rehab that she was in the staff loved her. They would tell me she was always so kind to them. I noticed that they would come to her room and take their brakes and talk with her. That speaks volumes of her personality. When she was at home she never complained, never was angry, just made life so pleasant around her. She would tell stories of her youth, and our youth. She would laugh at the grandkids, great grandkids, and me of course. Her wit never faded and depression never took root. The grace she showed during these physical tough years will live in all of us who took care of her. In December of 2011, we went to the doctor's office and he told her she was "in the end of her life cycle". She just looked at her and said "that's the new way to say you're dying". I had to laugh! So she started to get her affairs in order, all with grace and peace. Looking back on it, she had incredible strength, to hear you only have a short time left here and think of others, amazing! Mom told me she was ready to go home because she was tired. In January 2012 we were back in the hospital and were told that she was extremely ill. Mom asked me if she was going home and I said that was up to her and God. What a precious spirit she has, she would tell me she loved me many times a day, and told me "not to bawl". I told her it was because I would miss her so much. She couldn't feed herself, but was so sweet when I fed her. She would look up at me with those beautiful blue eyes and the love and compassion would glow in them. I am sure many of you have seen that look. One day she looked at me and said "what am I waiting for" I said I don't know Mom. She saw Angels in her room and I do believe I did too. I was blessed to be able to stay with her twenty four seven that last few weeks. She showed nothing but grace and spoke of going home. Her last day here she told me to give everyone her love. She looked at me and I held her hand as she let go of this life and went home into the arms of Jesus. I hope that everyone who ever knew her has fond memories of her. She was a wonderful loving Mother, a supportive friend, and quietly strong child of God. Her faith in God toward the end was inspiring. I believe her legacy is one of love for family, compassion for others, faith in what is unseen, and laughter in all situations. My mother was a great woman and will remain in the hearts of her family forever. We were blessed to have her in our lives. 1 Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name ; Make known His deeds among the peoples. 2 Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; Speak of all His wonders. 3 Glory in His holy name; Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad. 4 Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually. 5 Remember His wonders which He has done, His marvels and the judgments uttered by His mouth. Psalm 105: 1-5Funeral Home:The Springs Funeral Services3115 East Platte AvenueColorado Springs, , COUS 80909 Events Service Tuesday, February 7, 2012 12:00AM The Springs Funeral Services 3115 East Platte Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80909 Phone: 719-207-8855