Annie McMurrian

Annie "Big Grandma" Russell was born in Greenville, Mississippi on October 1, 1918 to the loving parents of Harry Henry and Jessie Russell. She entered Heaven's gates on January 31, 2015.

Annie worked in the cotton fields when she was 5 years old.

Grandma was affectionately known to the family as Big Mama and to friends as "Gal". In the early 1940’s Annie moved to Portland to work in the shipyards and had always been a great worker who took pride in her duties and responsibilities. She married William McMurrian on May 5 ^th , 1945 and their union was blessed with their daughter Thereace.

Annie was the matriarch of the family, the head. She was a feisty woman who told the truth and loved her family. Annie loved to go fishing with her friends and family. She enjoyed watching wrestling, roller derby, basketball and collecting Michael Jackson memorabilia.

Big grandma had many favorites but you would never catch her without her snuff. Her signature gift of joy, shown through her constant smiling, laughter, and joking around, will never be forgotten.

Anne was predeceased in death by her parents Harry and Jessie Russell, brothers John, James, Peter, and Andrew Russell, her husband of 70 years William McMurrian and her daughter Thereace Frison. Annie is survived by her grandchildren Claud St. George, Georgann (John) Debbie, William, (Lisa), and Pauline all of Portland, OR, 9 great-grandchildren, and 15 great great-grandchildren and a host of nephews, nieces, and friends.