Loura Verna Russell, nee Williams was born on October 2, 1941 to James Williams and Loura Williams. Loura attended Philadelphia public schools, and graduated from William Penn High School for Girls, now known as Franklin Learning Center High School. She worked at Philadelphia General Hospital, which was America’s oldest municipal hospital. Then, she worked for a very long time for Temple University, first at the Hospital, then as a receptionist at the Kornberg School of Dentistry. Her hobbies included sewing and reading. She loved going to the library and loved learning. She took many classes at Temple University and the Community College of Philadelphia. She also was a big fan of traveling. She took many trips to Atlantic City casinos and shopping trips to Reading and New York’s Canal Street, among others.
Loura left us on December 21, 2024, in Philadelphia’s Willow Terrace Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. Loura is survived by her partner, James, her sister Gloria, her brother Carroll, three children, Rodney, Antoinette, and Jayson, five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Her memorial service is going to be held at the Germantown Friends Meeting at 47 West Coulter Street January 20 at 11 AM.