Russie Taylor Olori passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, July 19, 2004. She was surrounded by her loving family. She was 88 years old. Her funeral service was held at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, July 24, 2005, at MOunt Calvary Methodist Church, with the Rev. Mark Oliver officiating.
Russie was born on February 18, 1917, in Tifton. She was the daughter of the late James Lemuel Taylor and Ethel Payne Taylor. She was also preceded in death by her grandson, Maurice Schassler and her sister, Florence McGrady. She left Tifton in 1949 and moved to New York to begin her career at Letchworth Village, a division of the Department of Mental Health of the State of New York, locating in Haverstraw, New York. She retired as an administrator. She was a remarkable woman who was totally devoted to her family. She embraced family and friends and, in turn, was loved by all who knew her. Many members of her family including the Payne, Jones and Akins families, live in the Tifton and Valdosta area.
Russie is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Mary Jones Shwidock and her husband, Stan Shwidock of Pomona, New York. Russie was the proud and devoted grandmother of David Schassler and Thomas Schassler of Stony Point, New York and Vicki Schassler of Baltimore, Maryland. She leaves four great-grandchildren, David, Jennifer and Jillian Schassler of Stony Point, New York, and Tommy Schassler of Orlando, Florida. She is also survived by her niece, Norma McGrady of Rehobeth, Delaware, and Robert Bone of Springfield, Virginia.