Diane Leslie Russell

Diane Leslie Russell died Wednesday, June 29th at Solace (Care Partners) in Asheville, NC. She was an educator, businesswoman and church leader. Russell was born in Greeneville, TN, the daughter of Henry Edward Leslie and Madge Davis Leslie. She attended Stephens College in Columbia, MO, and the University of Tennessee. She did graduate work and received her Masters of Education degree from Goddard College, Plainfield, VT. Following guidance work for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, she was Guidance Counselor and Admissions Director at Asheville Country Day School. She was founding President and Director of Career and Educational Planning Service, which guided the choice of colleges and careers for students and adults. She continued in this field until the end of her life, helping many make mid-life career changes. She was a leader in the Episcopal church and served as senior warden of the vestry at The Cathedral of All Souls. She led numerous committees in early career planning, teaching and consulting in an educational environment. She served on the education committee of the Western North Carolina Diocese of the Episcopal Church. She is survived by her husband, William S. Russell; son, Ben Russell of Danville, KY, and his wife, Kathy; and daughter Jane Russell Herzog of Pasadena, CA and her husband Mark Herzog; three grandchildren, Caroline Russell Fontinell and her husband Mike of Maryville, TN, Henry and Wallis Herzog of Pasadena, CA and two great-grandsons, Lucas and Noah Fontinell. A daughter, Leslie Russell Ford, preceded her in death. Services will be Sunday, July 10th at 2:30 at The Cathedral of All Souls, followed by interment in the cathedral garth. A reception will follow in the Cathedral parish hall. Memorials may be made to First Step Fund, a service that helps homeless women establish themselves in rental housing. The Russells, in memory of their daughter, Leslie, created the fund, administered by All Souls. Leslie was a volunteer at Room in the Inn, a church-based service that shelters homeless women.