Louise Mcmillan Aikin Russell

Louise McMillan Aikin Russell was born on March 16, 1934 and died November 13, 2021.
Her parents were Ella Louise McMillan and John Gaston Aikin III, from Stockton and Mobile AL. She graduated at age 17 from Murphy High School in Mobile, and went on to graduate from Southwestern at Memphis (now Rhodes College) with a Bachelor of Arts in 1955. Louise was the President of the Alpha Delta chapter of Kappa Delta sorority while in college.
Louise met her future husband, Don Russell, on a blind date while she was in college and he was in medical school. They dated throughout college and married on Dec. 21, 1954 at Government Street Presbyterian Church in Mobile. Louise and Don moved to Signal Mountain in 1963, after Don finished his medical residency and served in the Navy.
Louise was such a vibrant soul. She poured her creativity into gardening and landscaping, and the results were always beautiful. She was in the Signal Mtn. Garden Club, the Wild Ones native gardening group, and the Sierra Club. Louise was an early proponent of recycling and helped establish the Signal Mtn. Recycling Center. She enjoyed volunteering at Reflection Riding, and hiking & canoeing with friends and family. She was passionate about helping others. She was a founding member of the Volunteer Community Preschool. She participated in most of First Christian Church’s outreach programs such as Room at the Inn. In addition, she served as both Deacon and Elder at First Christian. Louise did her part to contribute to world peace by getting to know individuals from other cultures over the years. For instance, a German girl, Dorothee, stayed with the Russells in the 1970s through an exchange program. Dorothee and Louise shared similar world views and interests, and they cultivated their friendship over the years. Louise traveled to Bavaria and Dorothee, later with her children, returned to visit the USA. She loved teaching in many capacities, as a Girl Scout leader, a Sunday School teacher, and teaching us all about her love of nature. She was a life-long learner and an avid reader. She gave her love easily and frequently, and had many, many friends. They gathered in church, bridge groups, wine tasting groups, the Nifty Nomads over-50 adventure group, and her summer swimming buddies.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Don, her brother John, her daughter-in-law, Brenda Russell, and a niece, Ken Drinkard. Louise joins her late husband in bequeathing her body to the University of Tennessee Medical school. She is survived by her children and by two sisters. Her sisters are Jane Patterson (Pat) of Pensacola FL and Sue Zundel (Ferd) of Montrose AL. Her children are Ann Darrington Crane (Doug), Donald (“Russ”) Jere Russell, Jr. both of Signal Mtn., and Ellen Fulkerson (Mark) of Savannah, GA. Louise also has six grandchildren: Donald (“Rusty”) Jere Russell III, Marie Byrd Howard, Judson (“Judd”) Russell Crane, Michelle (Chellie) Louise Crane, Emma Kathryn Fulkerson and Zoe Louise Fulkerson and three great-grandchildren: Alex Spears, Wilkie Howard, and Zane Russell.
In addition, she is survived by several nieces and nephews.
Special thanks to the caregivers from Alexian Live at Home, Guardian Home Health, Hospice of Chattanooga and Ms.Lacey Twomey.
Memorials may be given to Reflection Riding, 400 Garden Road, Chattanooga, TN 37419 or First Christian Church, 650 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37403.
A celebration of Louise's life will be held at First Christian Church on Saturday, Nov. 20 at 2 pm. Visitation with the family will be before the service at 1 pm.