Mary Elizabeth Russell

Elizabeth Russell Thompson, 92, long-time resident of Decatur, passed away on December 18, 2022.  Known as "Betsy" by those who knew her best, she lived a long and full life.

Born in Montclair, New Jersey on September 11, 1930 to Robert Bromwell Russell, Jr. and Margaret Banks Neely Russell, Betsy spent her summers hiking, swimming, sailing and playing bridge at Camp Wabasso in New Hampshire and on the Russell family farm, Hillside, in Maryland riding Bessie, fishing in the pond and communing with the chickens. She graduated from Montclair High School in 1948 and went on to study Sociology at Duke University. In the class of 1952, she graduated early and married Harold (Hal) Britt Thompson, a returning WWII soldier whom she met playing bridge. Following her graduation and wedding, she resided in Rocky Mount, NC and worked as a social worker, traveling about the countryside visiting local farmers. The Thompsons subsequently moved to Raleigh, NC where they welcomed daughter Lilabet and later to Griffin, GA where son Britt was born. In the years that followed, the family moved to the Atlanta area, where daughter Molly rounded out the household and Betsy lived until her passing.

A lover of words, advocate of education, avid reader and keen investor, Betsy often shared her home with those who needed a place to land for a short while - from extended family to summer interns to grad students. Betsy was a fine athlete and as a longstanding member of Druid Hills Golf Club, Betsy played ALTA tennis for decades before being sidelined by injuries. After many years of rearing children and extensive volunteer work that included literacy advocacy, active roles in the children's school PTAs and Booster Clubs, positions at both DeKalb General and Emory hospitals, support of the Irish Setter Club of Georgia, Camp Fire Girl leader and various posts at Emory Presbyterian Church, Betsy returned to school to train as a paralegal. She worked more than twenty years for Paul, Hastings, Janofsky, and Walker law firm, first as a paralegal and later in numerous support roles. After her retirement, she continued to stay busy swimming at the YMCA, playing in numerous bridge clubs, participating in team trivia, serving on the boards at Emory Hospital Auxiliary and her condo and spending quality time with those closest to her. Betsy loved to travel with family, including several trips to Istanbul to celebrate the marriages of her "adopted" granddaughters Melda and Ceyda Ormeci. Betsy's happy place for the last forty years was the Nine Quarter Circle Ranch outside Bozeman, Montana - a dude ranch which she visited more than a dozen times with various configurations of children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. A trip with much of her extended family to the Big Island in Hawaii to celebrate her 90th birthday provided a much-needed break from the seclusion created by COVID. She loved to watch her Atlanta Braves, as well as the Hawks and her beloved Duke Blue Devils. Active in so many things, she continued her water aerobics class at the YMCA and walking halls and nearby sidewalks until shortly before her death. Betsy charmed those who met her with her quick wit, endearing twinkle, and strong, indelible spirit. Her generous heart will be fondly remembered by those who knew her well.

She was preceded in death by husband, Harold Britt Thompson; father, Robert B Russell, Jr.; mother, Margaret Banks Neely Russell; brothers Robert B. Russell, III and Thomas E. Russell. She is survived by daughter Lilabet Choate and husband Bill, Britt Thompson and wife Beverly, and daughter Molly Nuttall and husband Ken, as well as grandchildren Mimi Choate (James Hetland), Nick Choate (Evelyn Sedlack), Breann Angelovich (Shane), Spenser Thompson (Miah), Robert Nuttall and Mary Elizabeth Thomas (Will) and great grandchildren, Hannah and Sam Hetland and Josie, Cooper, Owen and Zoe Angelovich.

A Celebration of Life is planned for Saturday, April 1 at 1 pm with a reception to follow at Emory Presbyterian. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions in Betsy's memory to Emory Presbyterian Church, 1886 N. Decatur Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30307 or https://emorypresbyterian.org/.

Online condolences can be given at www.asturner.com.