Carolyn Joan Russell, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2012, at the Bluewater Bay Manor, of natural causes.She was born on Sept. 1, 1947, in Pensacola, Fla., to Norman and Josephine Emond. On Oct. 19, 1968, she married James G. Russell.Survived by her husband, James G. Russell, of Fort Walton Beach; her brother, Michael S. Thomasson and sister-in-law, Myriame L. Thomasson, of Houston, Texas; her brother, Jeffrey S. Thomasson of Fort Walton Beach.Preceded in death by her father, Norman Emond; and by her mother, Josephine Thomasson.Joan dedicated her life to serving Jehovah God and was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses on June 29, 1974. Joan wanted everyone to know of Jehovah's purpose for mankind and the hope of the resurrection. She enjoyed sharing with others the good news about Jehovah's Kingdom and the Bible's promise of everlasting life in a paradise earth.She loved her family and added many to her personal extended family. She enjoyed spending her time with her "adopted" children, Nicole Chandler, Jeremy Morgan and Jamey Starling, and her many "adopted" grandchildren. She enjoyed telling them Bible stories and playing Bible games with them.A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 216 Jonquil Ave., Fort Walton Beach, FL. Brother David Conway officiating.In lieu of flowers the family would prefer donations to the Worldwide Preaching work, c/o the Christian congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, Attn: George Flores, 209 Marshall Drive, Fort Walton Beach, FL, 32547.