Sherman Democrat
July 1977

Services were held at the Waldo Funeral Chapel for Vernon Christopher Russell, 65, retired Borden Milk Company employee.  He was known as "Shorty" by his friends.
Services were conducted by Rev. Harold Johnson of Forest Avenue Baptist Church and Rev. Jerry Creek of the Luella Baptist Church.  Burial was at Cedarlawn Memorial Park.  Pallbearers were Travis Cook, Eddie Marshall, Elmer Joe Holmes, Ted Hill, Hubert Lawrence and Jack Baldwin.
Mr. Russell was born at Rosebud, Texas, son of Mr. and Mrs. August Russell and was married to Catharine Watkins Lilly on December 9, 1950 in Sherman, Texas.  He was employed by the Borden Milk Company from 1950 until his retirement in 1976;   he had been a Sherman resident since 1935.  He was a member of the Travis Masonic Lodge No. 117 and Fairview Baptist Church.
Survivors are his wife; step-daughter, Mrs. Ginger Lilly Riddle of Alva, Oklahoma; sister, Mrs. Henry Middleton of Calvert, Texas; and 2 grandsons.



The Herald Democrat
April 25, 2011

Sherman - Funeral services for Catharine D. Russell, life-long Sherman resident, were held Tuesday afternoon, April 26, 2011 in the Chapel on the Hill at Cedarlawn Memorial Park.  Rev. Bobby Hawkins officiated with Larry Hawkins, Capt. Marc Riddle, Kevin Riddle, Greg Watkins, and Charles Kelley serving as pallbearers.  Mrs. Russell, 95, passed away Friday, April 22, at Texoma   Healthcare.  
Catharine was born November 20, 1915 in Sherman, Texas, daughter of Clyde and Mattie Len Helbert Watkins.   She attended Valley Summit schools and married Lawrence M. Lilly in January 1943.  Mr. Lilly was killed on October 1, 1944 in France while serving his country.
Catharine and Vernon Russell were married on December 9, 1950 in Sherman.  She and Mr. Russell were married until his passing on July 19, 1 977.  Catharine worked several years in the cafeteria at Crockett School and later at the S&H Green Stamp Store.  Catharine was an excellent seamstress who enjoyed sewing, knitting, crocheting, and quilting.  She was a longtime member of the Forest Avenue Baptist Church in Sherman and was a former member of the Carpenters Chapter #183 of the Eastern Star, where she had served as a past Matron and received her 50 year pin in October 2008.
Mrs. Russell is survived by one daughter, Ginger Lilly Riddle and husband, Dr. Billy Riddle, of Sherman; 2 grandsons, Captain Marc C. Riddle and wife, Angela, of San Diego, California and Kevin Riddle and wife, Taddum, of Pond Creek, Oklahoma; 4 great-grandchildren, Catharine and Sarah Riddle of San Diego and Gavin and Keon Riddle of Pond Creek; one brother, Marshall Watkins and wife, Billie, of Austin, Texas; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; 2 husbands; and one brother, Keith Watkins and wife, Mary Jo.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or the charity of the donor's choice.