Anita Patton Russell

Anita Patton Russell was born on November 22, 1936, in Memphis, TN, and went to her eternal home on October 30, 2025, in Little Rock, AR, surrounded by family. Her journey on this earth was marked by love, compassion, and unwavering faith in God. Throughout her life, she drew strength from Psalms 34:4, which reads, "I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears."

Anita is survived by her cherished and loving husband of 69 years, Bill Russell, her three children, Lyndal Green, Clarke Russell (wife Lynda), and Carolyn Rogers (husband John); her eight grandchildren, Clint Green (wife Cassie), Erica Turk (husband Jeffrey), Beck Russell, Malcolm Russell (fiancé Mackenzie), Merrick Russell, Marley Vogrin (husband Peter), Grace Attaway, and Zac Attaway; and six great grandchildren, Nix, Briggs, Henry, William “Bud”, Eden, and Willow (due February 2026). Anita was preceded in death by her parents, Clay and Maudell Patton; her younger brother Jerry Patton; and infant son.

Anita graduated from Messick High School in Memphis, TN, before earning her nursing education at Memphis State University and Baptist School of Nursing in Memphis. She met Bill, a dental student at The University of Tennessee in 1955, and they married on her 20th birthday in 1956. She worked as an RN while Bill was in the Army in Colorado Springs, CO. Bill and Anita settled in Little Rock, where she worked as an RN at UAMS in the PICU caring for premature and newborn babies.

Anita was a 49-year survivor of breast cancer. She was a volunteer for the American Cancer Society and visited mastectomy patients in their homes. She taught Reach to Recovery classes to other volunteers so they could continue her legacy of helping breast cancer survivors recover from mastectomies. Anita and Bill volunteered at all their children’s schools and extracurricular activities (tennis, plays, gymnastics, basketball, and more). Anita was also instrumental in bringing the first Montessori school to Little Rock.

Anita and Bill began playing tennis at ages 32 and 35, and they made many wonderful friends and traveled to play matches all over the south. They won matches and lost some, too, but mostly they enjoyed the wonderful times they had together.

Those who knew Anita will remember her for her infectious smile, incredible patience, and her wonderful sense of humor. She had a deep-rooted faith in Jesus and an unwavering commitment to spread love and kindness to everyone she encountered. She had a rare gift for making others feel welcome and left a lasting positive impact on all who crossed her path. Anita was a blessing to our family and will be sorely missed by all those who had the pleasure and privilege of knowing her.

The celebration of Anita’s life will be held on Saturday, November 22, at Calvary Baptist Church in Little Rock, AR, at 2:00 pm. Visitation will begin at 1:00 pm. Anita will be laid to rest in the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock.