Ema Ruth Russell, died peacefully, on Sunday, February 5, 2012 at the age of 103. She resided at Lake Forest Good Samaritan Village in Denton, Texas. She was born Ema Ruth Lindsey on March 18, 1908, in Texoma, Texas, to Walton Howard Lindsey and Ethel Fannie Jackson. Her great grandfather was Matthew B. Donald, founder of the Flower Mound Presbyterian Church.
She was raised in Memphis, Texas, and moved to Denton in the early 1920's. She graduated from Denton High School in 1925 then attended College of Industrial Arts (now Texas Woman's University). She received a double Bachelor's degree in Music and Music Education. She later completed her Masters in Music Education at Texas State College for Women (now TWU). Her first teaching position was as a music teacher in New Gulf, Texas. Several years later she went to Columbia School of Music in New York City where she met her future husband Lawrence (Larry) G. Russell. They were married in Denton in 1942 and made it their home. She began teaching in the Denton ISD after her daughter, Marie, was born. She taught 4th grade at Stonewall Jackson Elementary from 1950 until 1956. That year, Superintendent Chester Strickland requested that she consider starting a choral program in the high school. She accepted and in her first year she had only one class with 28 students. She retired from that position in 1971. Her choir numbered well over 225 students each year. Her choirs exceeded expectation, winning numerous awards in University Interscholastic League Divisional, Regional, and State competitions. She had several students that earned positions to the All-State Boys and Girls Choirs. She was a member of Texas Music Educators Association, Delta Kappa Gamma, and a patroness of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity, Iota Omega chapter at TWU.
Following her retirement, Mrs. Russell became an active participant, patron, supporter, and leader of the arts in Denton for over 40 years. She was founding Member of the Denton Community Chorus and The Greater Denton Arts Council, as well as co-founder of The Arts Guild. She worked diligently in raising funds for the Center of the Visual Arts. In later years she served two terms on the Denton Public Library Board.
In 1981, she was awarded the Greater Denton Arts Council Community Arts Recognition Award and in 1982, the Delta Sigma Phi Award for Outstanding community Service. The rehearsal space at the Center of the Visual Arts was named The Ema Ruth Russell Rehearsal Hall in her honor in 1985.
She is a member of Saint Andrew Presbyterian church.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Marie and Mike Lewis of Carrollton, Texas
A Memorial service will be held at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, 300 West Oak on Thurssday, February 9, 2012 at 3 P.M. A reception will immediately follow the service. There will be visitation on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 from 5 P.M. until 7 P.M. at Mulkey-Mason Funeral Home, 705 N. Locust Denton. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation instead to St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, The Greater Denton Arts Council, The Denton Public Library, or your charity of choice.