Mrs. Wilma Joann Russell, Indianapolis, passed away peacefully on the early morning of Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at her residence. She was 85. Joann was born September 21, 1936 in Westmoreland, Tennessee, a daughter of the late Brady and Hestell (Simpson) Gent.

Joann spent much of her leisure time working in her yard, caring for her flowers and lawn. She was a competitive bowler up into her 80's and had been involved in various leagues over the years. Joann loved her family dearly, especially her grandchildren, and organized many family reunions. She enjoyed traveling and looked forward to family trips, particularly those to the beach and Dale Hollow Lake. Joann was a successful business woman with Home Interiors and enjoyed helping other women make their homes beautiful.

Joann was a member of LifePoint Church in Indianapolis and was active in the Women's Ministry, Joy Fellowship, MOPS as well as caring for others through assisting with funeral luncheons.

Joann is survived by her loving husband of nearly 62 years, Dean Russell; her children, Ed (Vickie VanArsDale) Johnston, Peggy Russell, Michelle (Richard) DeLaCruz and Pamela (Thomas) Comodeca; her grandchildren, Olivia (Alejandro Plana) DeLaCruz, Andrew (Lyndsey) DeLaCruz, Melissa (Heath) Fitzpatrick and Kimberly (Jason) Lazelle; seven great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Rosalie Brooks and four nieces.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in passing by her brother, Richard Gent.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 am, Wednesday, January 5, 2022 at Forest Lawn Funeral Home, Greenwood. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 until 7:00 pm, Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at the funeral home.

For those choosing to make a memorial contribution, the family has suggested those be offered to The Wheeler Mission at wheelermission.org .