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Maple E. Russell Pratt
2019-05-16
Maple Elclaudia Russell Pratt, of Fernandina Beach, Florida passed away on Thursday, May 16, 2019 at the Warner Center for Caring. She was born in Jacksonville, Florida to the late Samuel Rufus Russell and Gladys Elclaudia Baxter on February 24, 1922. At age 6, her parents brought her and her brother, Samuel, to Fernandina Beach, where she received her early education in the public school system. She graduated from Peck High School in the class of 1940. Soon after her brother enlisted in the military service, she met and married James Pratt and they remained residents of the Fernandina Beach community for 41 years. To that union, one son was born, James �Skipp� Pratt.
For a brief period in the 1950�s, she left the community and went to Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in Tallahassee, Florida to study cosmetology and receive her associate degree. When she returned to Fernandina Beach, she set up her own business, popularly known as Maple�s Beauty Salon, where she served her community for 30 years. When she decided to close the shop, she continued serving the Nassau County Community as a Home Demonstration Extension Aide for more than 20 years.
At the same time she was developing her professional life, she maintained a strong religious foundation as a long-time faithful member of the Elm Street Church of God where she was an active teacher of senior ladies serving on the Senior Ladies Usher Board. She was also renowned for writing and directing creative plays and skits.
Maple was preceded in death by her husband, James Pratt, in 1986, her son, James �Skipp� Pratt, in 2009, and her brother, Samuel Russell, in 2002.
She enjoyed gardening, doing needlework, eating ice cream, and anything that allowed her to spend time with children.
Maple leaves behind her sister-in-law, Careta Rose Russell; a niece, Kathryn Helen Russell; two nephews, Kenneth Stanley Russell and John Samuel Russell; grand-nieces, Raven Russell Warren and Teresita Russell; grand-nephew, Tariq Russell; two god-daughters, Patricia Alberta and Carmen G. Emory; two god-sons, Adolphus White and Charles White, and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, May 25, 2019 at The Elm Street Church of God.
The family will receive friends Friday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Oxley-Heard.
She will be laid to rest in Bosque Bello Cemetery.
Memories
JOLYN JONES May 17, 2019
My Love For You Will Forever Be Imbedded In My Soul ??A DIAMOND RARE Like NO ONE ELSE
PATRICIA R RUSSELL May 17, 2019
For 47 years I have loved you. That love will never change. I remembered that at Ronnie�s birthday party you said when I get to heaven I am going to run and shout. My love you got it
LAURA RUSSELL WILSON May 17, 2019
Good bye cousin maple i will miss you and you will always be in my heart, I will see you in in heaven one day my parents will be glad to see you .
JENNIE AND KIM BLUE May 17, 2019
Words cannot express the sense of loss I feel for my dear Cousin Maple. She and my grandmother were first cousins and she never let me forget that I am a �Russell�. Through the years, she has always been a voice of reason and a calming soul for every season; particularly when we loss our Sweet Mama. (I will never forget the words she whispered as we entered the doors of the church). . I will miss going to the mailbox and retrieving one of her handwritten note cards with just the right words.
She loved the Lord and she loved her family, church and friends.. I will never forget her animated stories and her love for ice cream!
To Cousin Rose, Kathryn and the rest of the family,, I say �Hold onto God�s Unchanging Hand� and take comfort in 2 Corinthians 5:8
JOYCE GLOVER BAILEY May 17, 2019
Thanks for the many years of your smiles. May God welcome you with open arms. May the family find comfort in your memories and your teaching.
PAMELA STALVEY May 19, 2019
There were many people that came across my path during my years working at Barnett Bank on Centre Street in Fernandina. Many have long been forgotten, but there are those that you can NEVER forget. Ms. Maple was that one, she always had a smile and a positive word, she would wait if she had to until she could speak to me personally. There were days that were so stressful when in came Ms. Maple with her award winning smile, uplifting spirit and enthusiam for life and the stress of the day would just fade away. I always loved hearing her sweet voice and seeing her precious face, the face of Heaven personified. I can only pray that I might be able to touch hearts and lives as Ms. Maple did effortlessly. You did a wonderful job here Ms. Maple. you fought the battle and now you�ve received your rich reward. I will love you as the very special person you are always and forever remember you fondly until we meet again at home where we belong��.
2 Timothy 4:7-8
U.S. G.I.R.L.S. BOOK CLUB May 22, 2019
We the ladies of U.S. G.I.R.L.S. Book Club offer our deepest sympathy to the family of Mrs. Maple Russell Pratt. We were introduced to Mrs. Pratt during a book club ocassion in 2010 and she left a lasting impression on us with her lively interaction and intriguing life stories. We looked forward to every book club ocassion where we had the opportunity to interact with her. May the family take comfort in knowing that she touched many lives and left her imprint upon all those she met.