FREEPORT – Dorthy Lee Russell, 82, formerly of Lisbon Falls, passed away on Nov. 27 with her loving family by her side.

She was born on June 9, 1923, in Columbus, Miss., the daughter of the late Grover Cleveland and Dora Cecil (Dabbs) Wharton.

She was educated in Columbus, Miss., schools and graduated in 1944 from Steven D. Lee High School. After high school, she received a year of nurse’s training from Mississippi State College for Women.

Dorthy sold Avon from 1950 to 1954, Stanley products for many years and sold World Book Encyclopedias from 1959 to 1964. She later opened and operated Russell’s Boarding Home in Lisbon Falls from 1971 to 1985.

Dorthy was very active in the church, she was a member of the Lisbon Falls Methodist Church from 1948 to 1954 and was a Sunday School teacher there, she then went on to become a Sunday School teacher for the Lisbon Falls Baptist Church from 1954 to 1971. There she was also a member of the Missionary Woman’s Group and Christian Woman’s Group. She was a current member of the Open Door Bible Church, and had been with them since they began, and was a Sunday School teacher. Dorthy was also a member of the Lisbon Senior Citizens. She loved to be with people, bringing food to shut-ins, and helping out in whichever way that she could, whenever she could.

Dorthy also really enjoyed working, cooking and spending time with her family.

Surviving are her children, Edwin Russell and wife, Laura, of Topsham, Walter C. Russell and wife, Faye, of Lisbon Falls, James H. Russell Sr. and wife, Karen, of Lisbon Falls, Jeannie Hill (Lois Russell) of Lisbon Falls; extended family members, Ron and Faye Brewer of Skowhegan; two sisters, Mozelle Coleman of Columbus, Miss., Sadie Renfroe of Brandon, Miss.; her nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her parents; two daughters, Alice Cecilia Russell and Nancy Marie Russell; a son in-law, Charles Hilll; three brothers, Robert Wharton and William Wharton, Milton Wharton; and a sister, Ruth Donald; and a grandson, Michael Russell.

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