Polk County GaArchives Obituaries.....Sara Vera Willingham Casey Russell  January 10 1919
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Debra Tumlin dltumlin@bellsouth.net January 6, 2003, 8:31 pm

Cedartown Standard, Thursday, January 23, 1919

Mrs. Vera Casey Russell, Just after the day had
given place to the night on Jan.  10, 1919, the
spirit of Mrs. W. K. Russell departed for another
abode, leaving the beautiful earthly temple in which
God had placed it for a heavenly temple prepared by
God but made more beautiful by many earthly deeds of
love and kindness.  It was in the performance of one
of these noble deeds, the gathering of all the
children in their happy country home to celebrate
the birth of Christ, whom she loved supremely, that
the stroke of apoplexy came resulting in her death. 
Mrs. Vera Russell was born Feb. 10, 1869, and
although she had lived not quite fifty calendar
years, she had crowded into these fifty years many
more years of usefulness and good deeds.  At the age
of thirteen she began to serve the Master, uniting
with the Lime Branch Baptist Church.  April 9, 1884,
she was married to Mr. Oscar F. Casey, a man of
sterling character whose worth was appreciated by
his host of friends.  To this union were born seven
children, five of whom survive her: Mrs. C. H. Cone,
Mr. H. D. Casey, Mrs. W. E. Marshall, Mrs.  H. D.
Morgan and Miss Mary Casey.  Mr. Casey died in 1900,
leaving her alone to battle for five children, the
oldest fifteen years old the youngest two.  She did
not let this heavy blow crush her, but seemed to
realize that she must be both father and mother to
her children and put her shoulder to the wheel
without a complaint, without even a question, so
great was her belief in the truth so often expressed
by her that “all things worked together for good to
them that loved the Lord.”  Oftentimes she must have
carried her troubles to the throne of grace from
which she came with a lightened heart, for she was a
woman of prayer.  During her last illness she was
heard to make the remark, “Some people don’t believe
in prayer, but I do,” such prayers as she did utter,
so filled with love for the Master, and petitions
for His guidance and protection of her loved ones.
For better educational advantages she moved to
Tallapoosa.  Here she opened her doors to her nieces
so that they, too, might share the advantages of a
good school. Here she showed wonderful executive
ability in directing, guiding and developing the
characters of those boys and girls.  No doubt this
was in accordance with God’s plan to let her
influence touch these young live.  There on Nov. 6,
1907, she was married to Mr. W. K. Russell.  Her
mother heart had become so developed that it took
his six motherless children in and lavished upon
them a mother’s love, being the only mother that
some of the children can remember.  A blessing
indeed she has been to Mr. Russell and his children,
coming into their lives just when they needed her
most.  To this union were born two children, Lois
and Joe.  Besides her own family, she survived by
her mother, Mrs. E. P. Willingham; and one sister,
Mrs. W. J. Casey.  She was one of the truest women
we have ever known, true to her God, first of all;
true to her mother, true to husband and children,
true to every demand made upon her. She was never
too busy, although her hours were full, never to
tired, although her strength must often have been
taxed to the upmost, to help the needy and minister
to the sick  She lived the principles of one of her
favorite hymns, “Help Somebody Today.”  She lived
the life of her home, the life of her church, the
life of her community.  Not only her family, but the
entire community; the Antioch Baptist church, of
which she was a devoted member; and the Woman’s
Missionary Society, of which she was the efficient
and earnest President, sustain a great loss.
Although a leader she also was a worker, never
suggesting any steps that she herself was not
willing and anxious to take, and be it said to the
credit of the Woman’s Missionary Society that they
gladly followed her leadership.  The high esteem in
which her friends held her was evidence by their
presence to pay the last tribute of respect.  What
she meant to her pastor was shown by the beautiful
words which fell from his lips; what she was to the
church, by one of its member and a visiting pastor. 
Her work has ended.  She has fought the good fight. 
It is only the separation that grieves us.  Yes, her
presence has gone from among us, but she still lives
in the lives of the young people of her community,
in the lives of her Sunday School class, in the
lives of her children who will rise up and call her
blessed.  Never again will that sweet smile greet us
on this earth, but if we let our lives be led by her
example, we shall be greeted at the heavenly portals
by that same sweet smile. (Cedartown Standard,
Thursday, January 23, 1919)
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