Karen Sue Russ

Karen Sue Russ, 73, left her Earthly body unexpectedly on October 9, 2021. She was born in Belington, WV on January 25 of 1948, but spent most of her life living in Maryland before moving back to West Virginia to be with family.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, George Washington Jarvis and Wilda Dean, and by her husband, Donald Russ, who she proudly married on July 21, 1973.

Before moving to Fairmont, West Virginia to be with her sisters after her father's death, Karen had a very active life in Baltimore, Maryland. Besides planting tulip bulbs, her most esteemed job was working in janitorial services at Fort Meade, a US Army base. She was also very active in ARC Baltimore. She was a very active participant in bowling, where she was a tough competitor to beat.

After moving to Fairmont to be closer to family, she loved bowling with the Special Olympics and was involved with the Disability Action Center, where all memorial contributions can be sent.

Karen originated as a Danish name, arising from the Greek word Aikaterine, which is believed to mean "pure". If you knew Karen, you know this to be true. Karen was a one of a kind soul, with the purest heart you would come across. She had a deep love for life and while we will miss her terribly, we know that she will be in Heaven with her Blue Suede Shoes on, dancing to Elvis or throwing her famous curve ball while bowling.

To know Karen is to love Karen. To know Karen was to be loved deeply. She lived her life with confidence, love, and the ability to light up any room. Even though her life here has ended, we know that she made it to Heaven to finally be reunited with her two favorite men, her daddy and her husband, Donald. We can only imagine what type of celebration erupted as she found them.

If Karen wasn't reminding you of her white hair, she was teaching you to love unconditionally and without barriers and Heavens to Murgatroyd; and did we love her for it! Even as we mourn the end to her life, we must remember what she taught us. To live every day like it's a new day, full of hope and promise. To see the beauty and light in all things. To not take things too seriously. To have fun, to dance, to "Shake, Rattle, and Roll" from time to time, and most importantly, to love deeply, fiercely, and without regret.

She was a light that shown brighter than any star and will be missed dearly by her siblings, Patt, Jill, Jack, and Robin, and an adoring fan club full of friends, family, and anyone who had the chance to meet her.                                                                                               

A Celebration of her Life and entombment next to her father in Maryland will be held at a later date. Online condolences can be made at www.Affordablefuneralandcremationcenter.com. Affordable Funeral and Cremation Center, Nutter Fort, WV, is handling the cremation arrangements and we are honored to serve the Russ family.                                                                                                           

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