Mrs. Jeanette Hays Russell, 96, of Mansfield, passed away Tuesday, July 17, 2018.

She was born Aug. 16, 1921, in Hayston to James Coy and Velma White Hays, who have preceded her in death.

Mrs. Russell grew up in the Hayston community and graduated from Mansfield High School. She attended Rabun Gap Nachoochee Junior College and started her career with Southern Bell. Mrs. Russell retired from Southern Bell as a business office manager; during her career she worked in a number of different cities and returned to Atlanta, where she retired in 1977. She was a member of the Telephone Pioneers and a longtime member of Luther Hays Presbyterian Church.

Mrs. Russell was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph H. Russell. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Wayne and Barbara Pailloz, of Mansfield; her grandchildren, Christine Eaton, Kimberly Pailloz and Wayne Pailloz Jr.; her five great-grandchildren and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, other family and close friends.

Funeral services for Mrs. Russell will begin at 2 o’clock Saturday, July 21, at Luther Hays Presbyterian Church, 90 Hayston Road, Mansfield, GA 30055. Burial will follow at the Hays Family Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the church from 1 p.m. until service time on Saturday prior to the funeral. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to Luther Hays Presbyterian Church, 7119 Golfside Drive SE, Covington, GA 30014, or to Homestead Hospice, 1561 Lenru Road, Bogart, GA 30622.

J.C. Harwell and Son Funeral Home, 2157 East St. SE, Covington, GA 30014, is in charge of the arrangements. A guest book may be signed online www.harwellfuneralhome.com.