Margery Ann Hodson Russell of Buford, GA, affectionately known as Annie or Anne, passed away on April 15, 2026, at the age of 80. She was deeply loved beyond all reasonable measure and will be missed sorely by all who knew her.

Annie was preceded in death by her beloved parents, James Olaf Hodson and June Rae Hodson, and her mother, Margaret Jayne Neindorf Brock; as well as her brother, “Stubby” Hodson.

She is survived by her devoted husband, John E. Russell; her daughters, Colleen Ann Russell Horne and husband Eric Horne, Kara M. Hunter Russell and wife Donna Hunter Russell, and Katharine Bedford Russell and husband Ross Hevener. She also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Brenna Ann McClure and son-in-law Brandon Priegel, Margery Alaine McClure (“Lainey”) and son-in-law Alex Charameda, John Ellis Russell Horne and partner Joshua Jennings, Ethan Scott Bradberry, Sadie Mae Mae Swigart, Eli Kash Priegel, and Sawyer Alexander Charameda. Annie is also survived by her loving sisters Peggy Evelyn, Millie Edwards, and Liz Roca; brothers Frank Reeder, Ron Reeder, and Jimmy Hodson; and her beloved pup, Ryder Biter.

Born in St. Petersburg, Florida, Annie spent much of her childhood and youth in Redfield, Iowa, and Miami, Florida. It was in Miami that she fell in love with the boy next door—quite literally next door—whom she would later marry. Together, Annie and John E. built a life filled with love and welcomed three beautiful, vibrant, but very different daughters.

In 1982, the family moved to Buford, Georgia, where Annie remained for the rest of her life.

Annie was a lifelong learner with a deep love of reading. She dedicated 25 years of service to the Gwinnett County Public Library system, where she held various roles and shared her passion for knowledge with others. She was brilliantly intelligent, armed with a voluminous vocabulary, and nearly impossible to beat at Scrabble. She was equally formidable at trivia and delighted in keeping everyone on their toes.

Music was one of Annie’s great joys, and the soundtrack of her life was as vibrant and eclectic as she was. She especially loved Heart, the Eagles, the Doobie Brothers, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Little River Band, Donna Summer, Foreigner, and Journey. She delighted in sharing that love with her children, often taking them to a friend’s stereo shop and letting each of them choose their own records. At one time, Annie proudly owned more than 300 eight-track tapes—a fact carefully counted and confirmed by her middle child.

She had a tender heart for animals and loved many dogs and cats throughout her lifetime. She especially adored turtles—most of all sea turtles. Though she was afraid of the water, she never lost her love for the beach.

A woman of deep compassion and faith, Annie served as a Stephen Minister through her church, offering comfort and care to those in need. She was known for her wonderful sense of humor—sometimes dark, always sharp—and for her ability to find laughter in even difficult moments.

Her favorite saying, passed down from her father and often heard by her children growing up, was: “If you’re going to be stupid, you’ve got to be tough!”

Annie’s legacy lives on in the compassionate, curious, and resilient family she leaves behind—a family of lifelong learners who do not take themselves too seriously, know how to find humor in most situations, and understand that life is always better with good music playing in the background.

She was a loving wife, mother, Grandmommy, sister, and friend. Her absence leaves an immeasurable void, but her love, laughter, wisdom, and music will remain with those who knew her always.

Please send condolences to Kara M. Hunter Russell at 2794 Michelle Circle Dacula, GA 30019.

If you’d like to make a donation to the ASPCA in memory of Ann Russell, please include the following email address for notification, reverendred@bellsouth.net

https://secure.aspca.org/donate/memorial