Joyce Mitchell Russell

JOYCE I. MITCHELL RUSSELL, daughter of the late Leon and Arletta Mitchell, was born on June 22, 1943, in Baltimore, Maryland. She departed this life on November 2, 2025, after fighting a lengthy illness. Joyce was educated in the Baltimore City School system, graduating from Dunbar High School in 1961. She graduated from Morgan State University in 1965 with her Bachelor of Science degree and pursued additional studies at Towson State University. Joyce started her professional career as an elementary school teacher. Her studies at Towson State University led to her becoming an elementary school librarian. She worked in the Baltimore City School system for thirty-two years, retiring in 1997. Her love for books continued after retirement. She would visit the library every two or three weeks, returning home with a bag of books. In fact, her email address was BookwormDiva84. Joyce married the love of her life, Louis B. Russell who preceded her in death. Joyce was blessed with a daughter Sheri in 1964, and she dedicated her life to being an awesome mom and role model for her daughter to follow. Later, she was blessed with a Grandson, Phillip who she referred to him as her apple dumpling. He was the apple of her eye. He also preceded her in death. In later years she was blessed with two great grandsons and a bonus great granddaughter, Khiry, Skylar and Maize. Her love for reading was passed onto her great grandkids. She was very proud of their academic achievements. Grandma Joyce spoiled them rotten. Joyce enjoyed eating and was known as a “foodie”. Her favorite restaurants and barbeque stand were Long Horn Steak House, Friendly Farms, and C & L Smokin In the Woods. She also enjoyed going to Lenny’s or Popeyes with her sisters to get her favorite corn beef sandwich (grilled rye bread, fried onions and mustard) or some spicy hot fried chicken. Lisa Postell supplied Joyce every Saturday with her delicious ribs, smoked turkey wings, pit beef, Italian sausage and beans for the last four months. Joyce didn’t want just one item on the menu; she wanted it all. She loved Werther’s original caramel candy, coconut cake, nutty coconut ice cream, peanut M&M’s, and her sister Darlene’s famous pound cake. Joyce enjoyed Motown and Gospel music. She enjoyed going to the Lyric and Pier 6. Joyce only wanted to go to the Lyric if she could have Box Seats or Pier 6 if she could have the middle front isle seat. Otherwise, she would forfeit the show, a bit of a ticket snob. She attended her last concert on her 80th birthday at the MGM National Harbor clapping and singing with Gladys Knight. Whenever she was home alone, she’d blast her R & B music and danced around the house. Her favorite colors were yellow and green.

Tributes

Joyce Mitchell Russell

June 22, 1943 - November 2, 2025