Marvin Neil Russell

Marvin Neil Russell, 95, passed away peacefully on March 26, 2020, with his family by his side.  His family and friends will miss his kindness and wit, his infectious laughter and most of all his enduring love.  
Born on December 13, 1924, in Hagan, Virginia to Mattie Bailey Russell (Monday) and Roy Neil Russell, Marvin first moved to New Mexico in 1930 with his parents and baby sister, Juanita.  They moved back to Virginia for a few years and ultimately, Marvin and Juanita returned to Artesia to live with their father and step-mother.  At age 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps (Air Force) and following training, served in the China-India-Burma theater flying a C-47 over the infamous “Hump”.  After the war, Marvin attended Chillicothe Business College in Missouri where he would meet and fall in love with his adored wife (“honey”) Evelyn Collins from Erie, Kansas. After graduation, they married and settled in the Pecos Valley - the place Marvin would always call home - and raised their two children, Tom and Marla Kay.  Following the death of his father, Marvin took over management of the family business, Russell Auto Supply, in Artesia.  After selling the business, the family moved to Roswell for the next 43 years where Marvin was active in the First United Methodist Church and the American Legion Post 28, serving in the funeral honor guard - forever giving his time to others and continuing to serve his country.  In their early nineties, Marvin and Evelyn moved to Albuquerque to be closer to family.  Marvin had dedicated his life to caring for his beloved wife, Evelyn who passed away in 2018, just months shy of their 70th wedding anniversary.  Marvin made new friends and explored new activities after moving to assisted living.  He loved the different music programs and enjoyed singing and dancing with the ladies.  He also enjoyed the many family gatherings including Sunday night dinners with his granddaughters and great-grandchildren.      
Marvin will be greatly missed by his surviving family - son Tom Russell and wife Jayne of Phoenix, AZ; daughter Marla Kay (Russell) Thompson and husband Marshall of Santa Fe, NM; granddaughter Brenna Thompson of Albuquerque, NM; granddaughter Jennifer Sinsabaugh and husband Craig; two great-grandchildren Tyler and Aaliyah Sinsabaugh, also of Albuquerque, NM; and many nieces and nephews. Other surviving family members include brother Charles Russell and wife Carolyn and sister-in-law Noma Russell.  Marvin was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Juanita Goodlett and his brother Junie Russell.  
Marvin will be interred at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. No formal services are planned at this time due to COVID-19, but a celebration will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Marvin’s honor to the First United Methodist Church of Roswell or the Honor Flight of Northern New Mexico.  To view information or leave a condolence please visit www.danielsfuneral.com.  
Daniels Family Funeral Services
7601 Wyoming Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109
505-821-0010