Sarah Lanier Russell

FORT MEADE - Mrs. Sarah Lanier Russell, 86, passed away on Sunday, May 5, 2013 in Tampa due to complications of a stroke. Born to a pioneer Polk County family in Fort Meade, FL on July 8, 1926, Sarah felt fortunate to live her entire life in Fort Meade surrounded by loving family and life-long friends. She was a member of Oak Park Baptist Church and a graduate of Fort Meade High School, Class of 1944. Sarah was preceded in death by her parents, Lamb and Shellie Lanier, and her husband Daniel A. Russell. She is survived by her two sons and daughters-in law, Lanny and Nora Russell of Tampa, FL, and Richard and Judy Russell of Lakeland, FL. She also leaves two brothers, Mac Lanier and Dewey Lanier, both of Fort Meade, FL; cherished granddaughter Rebecca Graff and her husband Mark, and two great-grandchildren, Eleanor and Charles, all of Tampa, FL. Visitation will be held 5:00pm - 7:00pm, Tues., May 7, 2013. Funeral services will be held at 11:00am, Wed., May 8, 2013 in the Hancock Funeral Home Chapel, 945 East Broadway, Fort Meade, FL with Rev. Scott Waldron officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Fort Meade. Hancock Funeral Home, Fort Meade, FL 863-285-8171