Lucille (Lou) Thompson Russell

Lucille (Lou) Thompson Russell, 87, of Asheboro, NC passed away on March 23, 2023 at Woodbury Wellness Center in Hampstead, NC.

A Memorial Service will be held at Pugh Funeral Home Chapel, 437 Sunset Ave, Asheboro, NC on March 26, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. with nephew, Mike Thompson officiating.  Visitation will be held at Pugh Funeral Home immediately following the Memorial Service. A private burial service at Oaklawn Cemetery, Asheboro, NC will precede the Memorial Service. Pugh Funeral Home in Asheboro, NC will be handling the funeral arrangements.

Lou was born in Asheboro, NC to Aggie Louise Tysinger Thompson and Reverend Henry Harrison Thompson on September 17, 1935.   She attended Asheboro High School.  After sending her three daughters to college, Lou decided to pursue a lifelong dream of becoming a nurse.  She attended Randolph Community College and earned a Registered Nurse degree.  Following graduation, she served in multiple roles at Randolph Hospital as charge nurse and head nurse, but most of her career was in the role of Nursing Administrator for the hospital.  Nursing was a passion for Lou and it was obvious by all those who received care from her, and she was highly respected by her colleagues.  After nineteen years of service at Randolph Hospital, she retired to spend more time enjoying her other life’s joys of grandchildren, golf (a hole-in-one At Pine Knolls Golf Club on October 23, 2001), jogging, playing bridge with friends, past president of the Reviewer’s Book Club (2008-2009), and entertaining family and friends in her home for holidays and birthdays.  Lou had a beautiful alto voice and sang gospel music with her sisters Hellen Thompson Barrett and Faye Thompson Whiting and her brother, Dempsey Thompson, and nephew, Mike Thompson.  

Lou had a strong Christian faith and prayer life and lived her life with dignity and grace.  She was a faithful member of Landmark Baptist Church in Asheboro, NC.  

Lou is survived by her three daughters, Donna Barnes (Keith) of Wilmington, NC, Karen Parker (R.V.) of Greenville, NC and Teen Dunn of Asheboro, NC; her grandchildren, Abigail Elmore (Joseph) of Greensboro, NC, Kaitlyn Bradford (Cory) of Garner, NC, Jon Dunn of Asheboro, NC, Kelsey Dunn (fiancé Hunter Anthony) of Winston-Salem, NC; great grandchildren Parker Elmore, Josie Elmore, and Faye Elmore of Greensboro, NC, Charlotte Bradford of Garner, NC; sisters Ruby Hill of Asheboro, NC, Gladys Smith of Sophia, NC, Faye Thompson Whiting (Jeff) of Greensboro, NC and Hellen Barrett (Frank) of Asheboro, NC, and many nieces and nephews who were an important part of her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Margie Thompson, brothers Dempsey Thompson and David Thompson, and son-in-law Chris Dunn.

The family thanks the health care providers at Woodbury Wellness Center in Hampstead, NC for the care and compassion provided to Lou during her stay there.

Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the charity of your choice.