Joanna Mae Russell

Joanna Mae Russell, 79 of Clarkdale, passed away on April 16, 2013. She was born on June 2, 1933 in Clemenceau, Arizona to James Gibson and Ruth Beecher. Joanna attended Clemenceau school then Bacone and Yavapai College for 2 years studying Applied Arts. She worked as a CNA and in Medical Records at Yavapai Regional Medical Center and on the Enrollment Board for the Yavapai-Apache Nation. Some of Joanna\u0027s greatest accomplishments were being a lifetime member of the Bacone Alumni Association, receiving her Applied Arts Degree in Textiles and becoming 1st Tribal Enrollment Officer of Yavapai-Apache Nation. Joanna was a Christian. Joanna enjoyed beadwork, being a seamstress, embroidery, crocheting, traveling, pop culture enthusiast, an avid non-fiction reader, a dvd collector, animal lover, shopping for others and being a video poker expert. Grandma Joanna was the most generous, fun-loving, adventurous, energetic and sweet-hearted woman of God! Joanna was preceded in death by her sister Naomi Gibson Mocasque and son Mark Jason Russell. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Aaron H. Russell; daughter Siera T. Russell of Peoria; granddaughter Sacheen Ponte; great-granddaughter Giovanna Ponte Russell; half-brothers Lemuel Gibson of San Carlos and half-sisters Elva Abeita of New Mexico and Mary Holy of San Carlos. A funeral service will be held on Friday, April 19, 2013 at 10:00am at Westcott Funeral Home in Cottonwood. Burial will take place at Valley View Cemetery in Clarkdale. Donations may be made to Reztoration Ministries, 2500 W. Route 66 #74, Flagstaff, AZ 86001. An online guestbook is available to sign at www.westcottfuneralhome.com