Virginia Olgiati Russell

Virginia Olgiati Russell Spartanburg – Virginia Olgiati Russell, 88, of Spartanburg went home to be with her Lord, Thursday, January 07, 2016. Born December 2, 1927 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, she was the daughter of the late Peter Rudolph Olgiati and Mae Wilson Olgiati. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Dr. Bruce A. Russell, Sr., a Baptist Minister; a son, Timothy Lee Russell and his wife Elizabeth Attaway Russell of Spartanburg; daughter in law, Cyndi Wideman Russell of Knoxville, Tennessee; grandchildren, Bruce Alan Russell III, Kathryn Lynn Russell, James Bradford Russell, Lindsey Elizabeth Erbe, Emily Paige Russell; great granddaughters, Elizabeth Grace Erbe and Lillian Mae. Virginia was predeceased by a son, Bruce Alan Russell, Jr., and her brother, Charles Roman Olgiati. She was a devoted, loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Virginia loved music, sports, camping, traveling and reading. Virginia graduated from Chattanooga High school, class of 1946, and Bob Jones University, Greenville, SC, class of 1950, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. Using her profession as a public teacher, she taught is South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. An active pastor’s wife in five churches, she was a lifelong choir member, soprano soloist, adult Sunday School teacher, Woman’s Missionary Union Director in Charleston Heights Baptist Church, youth work, Church Training and Vacation Bible School. As a faithful member of Southside Baptist Church, Spartanburg, SC, she was a member of Mary Ruth Cox Women On Mission Group, The Open Door Sunday School Class, and an assistant Sunday School Teacher. In Baptist Associations, she served on the Ethics Committee, By-Laws Committee, Nominating Committee, Woman’s Missionary Union; Scholarship; Committee and Vacation Bible School Team. State-wide she served on the Committee on Nominations; Charleston Southern University, Trustee, and member of Woman’s Advisory Council; Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes, Trustee. At North Greenville University, she served as founding President of The Christian Ministry Scholarship Fund and member Woman’s Auxiliary. In the Southern Baptist Convention, she served on the 2001 Committee on Nominations. She also served as short term mission volunteer to Brazil, Kenya, Romania, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire. She enjoyed serving in the following community activities: In Greenwood, SC, she was founding President of the Performing Arts League, Woman’s Club, Atheneum Study Club, Music Club, President, Orchid Garden Club. In Charleston, SC: The Charleston Symphony Orchestra League, President, Election League, Sea Island Republican Club, Antique Club, Garden Club of Charleston, President, Northbridge Terrace Club, and Ladies Benevolent Society. The family will receive friends from 12:00 PM to 12:45 PM on Saturday, January 9, 2016 at Dunbar Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow at 1:00 PM in the Dunbar Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to North Greenville University, PO Box 1892, Tigerville, SC 29688; Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, PO Box 1889, Wake Forest, NC 27588; International Mission Board, SBC, 3806 Monument Ave., PO Box 6767, Richmond, VA 23230.