Willie Mae Russell was born on August 30, 1951, to Gussie Lee Williams and Coy Yarbrough in Florence, Alabama. Willie Mae, affectionately known as "Dooley", "Grandma", and "Gramps", departed this life Sunday, September 8, 2024, at North Alabama Medical Center in Florence, Alabama.

Willie Mae was a member at Eastside Church of Christ, where she remained faithfully. She was passionate for her love of Christ.

Willie Mae was a caring and loving person and her family and friends meant the world to her.

Willie Mae was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Susie Pointer, Jessie Lee Pride, Linda Maxwell, and Gwendolyn Williams; brothers, Donald Maxwell and James Otis Young; and great-granddaughter, Mariah Gayle Hale.

Willie Mae leaves behind to cherish her memories: her husband, William Earl Russell; children, Shirley Yarbrough, Robert Williams, and Michelle Williams; grandchildren, Tanisha, Blake (Monica), Dyesha (Cassius), Kenyatta, Oceanna, Montoyus (Christle),Natoryia (Daisy), Tadric, Amarie, Treylon, and Tamarius; great-grandchildren, ZaNiyah, Za'Marah, Jayonna, Keeon, Cardae, Jamari, Kenleigh, Ryleigh, Cassius Jr., Blake Jr., Marley, Raydyn, Armani, Kyle, and Cashlyn; brothers, Willie Nelson Williams (Lida), Otis Gene Williams, and Robert James Williams (Cheryl); sister-inlaw, Annie Russell; brother-in-law, Percy Russell; special friends, Barbara Williams and Ada Reeder; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.