Martha Russell Griego

Martha Sue Russell died in the early hours of March 17th, 2025. She will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of meeting her over her 75+ years of life.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, March 22, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. at Love Joy Church in Troy, officiated by Rev. Mark Atkins. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the church.

Martha was born in Montgomery County to Mary and Barney Russell and shared a life with her parents and siblings Emily, Roger, Larry, Charles, Mary Lou, and Frank.

While raising her two daughters in Raleigh, North Carolina, Martha was part of the NC State University family where she made lifelong friendships with Jim Valvano and George Tarantini while rubbing elbows with a litany of sports figures and performing musical artists including Pink Floyd, Barry Manilow, Kenny Rogers, Thurl Bailey and Chris Corchiani.

After a successful career at NC State, Martha moved back to her home town of Troy to help take care of her mother, and then her sister. She also served her community as the Director of the Board of Elections, where she worked to make sure elections were run smoothly and fairly.

Martha retired in 2015 and spent her retirement years visiting with family, exploring the great wide internet, and chiefly enjoying her incredible granddaughters.

Martha’s spirit is carried on by her two daughters, Gabrieal Griego (Joe Slawinski) and Olivia Griego Martin (And); two granddaughters, Rosalind and Magdalena; sister, Emily Howell; brother, Frank Russell (Debbie); her chosen daughter Julia Matson, and her chosen son, Kenneth Blake; sisters-in-law, Tracey Russell and Betty Lou Russell. Martha is also survived by extended family and friends, all of whom held a special spot in her heart.  She is preceded in death by her brothers, Roger Russell, Charles Russell, and Larry Russell; sister, Mary Lou Russell; brother-in-law, Harold Howell; and sister-in-law, Audrey Russell.

"How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard."

- A.A. Milne (Winnie the Pooh)

“Precious jewel, you glowed, you shone, reflecting all the good things in the world.”

– Maya Angelou

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Martha's name to  Zoo Disaster Response, Rescue, and Recovery - ZDR3 USA. Make checks payable to: ZDR3 1989 Colonial Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76110 or you can donate at: https://www.zdr3.org/in-honor

Bumgarner Family Funeral Service is serving the family.

Zoo Disaster Response, Rescue, and Recovery - ZDR3 USA
1989 Colonial Pkwy, Fort Worth TX 76110
Web: http://www.zdr3.org/in-honor