Mary Beth Russell (née Koch), age 69, passed away in Baltimore, Maryland on November 19, 2022. She was born on September 29, 1953 to John and Marie Koch in Richmond, Virginia where she spent much of her life. She is survived by her husband of 47 years and high school sweetheart, Larry Russell, with whom she shared three children and eight grandchildren; son and daughter-in-law, Chad Russell and Ann Elling, and their son Faraday; son and daughter-in-law, Brett and Nancy Russell, and their children Graeme, Brogan, and Keagan; and daughter and son-in-law Sarah and Mark Magnotta, and their children Lucy, Belle, Oliver, and Miles. She is also survived by her two big brothers and their spouses who adored her, Buddy (Kathy) and Larry (Eve), her beloved nephews and nieces, and many devoted friends. Her true love was her family, who will miss her and her never-ending supply of Hershey Kisses dearly.

Mary Beth attended Atlantic Christian College in Wilson, NC and later earned a Master's in Early Childhood Education from VCU in Richmond, VA. She was a passionate teacher who cared deeply about the children she taught around Henrico County, and at Seatack Elementary School and London Bridge Baptist Preschool where she taught and worked after relocating to Virginia Beach with her family.

She was creative and crafty; she loved to sew, quilt, smock, and make flags and Halloween costumes. She also loved to travel and find new places to visit with Larry, especially if those places were on the water, and she couldn't get enough "Murder, She Wrote" or sweet tea. She was generous with her time, and tirelessly advocated for children. She was fiercely friendly, and wanted to know everything about everyone she met. She made you feel better just by being in her presence, she was genuinely funny, and according to Larry, she was "the very best at smiling."

Her favorite lyrics of her favorite song were the chorus to "I Can Only Imagine" by MercyMe:

Surrounded by Your glory What will my heart feel?

Will I dance for You Jesus

Or in awe of You be still?

Will I stand in Your presence Or to my knees,

will I fall? Will I sing hallelujah?

Will I be able to speak at all?

I can only imagine.

For anyone who knew Mary Beth, there is little doubt she is dancing and singing now.

A celebration of life will be held at a date to be determined in the future. Please email RussellLifeCelebration@gmail.com if you would like to be informed about the details of the celebration.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the HNC Living Foundation for Head and Neck Cancer at https://www.hncliving.org/donate/.