Madalea Joy (Adams) Russell was born on February 1st, 1938, to William Newton & Leola (Ellis) Adams in Guthrie, Oklahoma. She passed away on Wednesday, March 19th, 2025, in Kingfisher at Cimarron Nursing Center at the age of 87. Madalea attended Benedictine Heights Schools in Guthrie and graduated in 1956.
Madalea married Charles Russell on July 3rd, 1960, at St. Margaret Mary’s Catholic Church in Crescent, OK. After they got married the couple moved to Kingfisher where they lived until their passing. Together they had 3 children, Charles Jr., Melinda and Melanie.
Madalea worked for the FSA/Land office in Kingfisher for many years. Madalea loved helping area farmers and made countless acquaintances and friends over the years. Madalea would often sew dresses and cheerleading outfits for her daughters, fixed many shirts & pants for locals and later on flower girl dresses & ring bearer outfits for her two oldest grandchildren. After retirement, Madalea enjoyed attending sporting events for her grandchildren, working on her needlepoint projects, filling out the daily Oklahoman crossword puzzle & in March, the NCAA March Madness brackets.
She was an active member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church & often helped with the Annual Turkey dinner. She was known to a few of the younger church members as the “Church Lady” & would tell the young children to pay attention to the sermon on Saturday Evening Mass.
Madalea was preceded by her parents and husband of 57 years, Charles Sr.
Madalea is survived by her children, Charles Russell Jr of Dover, Dr. Melinda Zettel and husband Dan of West Branch, Michigan, Melanie R. Cluck of Kingfisher; her 8 grandchildren, Kenneth Russell of Okeene, Racheal Hill and husband John of El Reno, Chase Cluck of Oklahoma City, Caleb Cluck of Kingfisher, Adam, Aaron, Alec and Adrian Zettel of West Branch, Michigan. Madalea is also survived by one great-granddaughter, Jordyn Hill. She is also survived by her brother, Ronald Adams, and several nieces & nephews, great-nieces & nephews along with numerous cousins.
Visitation for Madalea will be Wednesday, March 26th from 9am-6pm at Sanders Funeral Service.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, March 27th, 2025 at 10am at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church with internment following at Summit View Cemetery in Guthrie, OK. Under the direction of Sanders Funeral Services.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations in Madalea’s name be made to Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church at 309 S. Main St, Kingfisher, Oklahoma 737350.
