I do not remember when we met. I know you were born in New York, and by sixth grade you were there with us. We were sisters. You lived one block away, and we were always at each other’s homes. You lived with your grandmother who was an amazingly strong woman. You called my parents mom and dad. You attended church with us each week at Berea Mennonite. We loved to tell people we were sisters, and you loved to try to shock people by telling them we were twins.
We went to different high schools and colleges, but that did not stop our friendship. East Atlanta football games were one of my favorite events to attend and watch you in the band playing the clarinet. You gave me the nickname Taj (Theresa, Angela, Juel).
Some of my favorite memories include:
Visiting you at college
Welcoming Twanicka and Tomesha into your life
Taking you to my college homecoming, and you convincing people you went to school there!
MC Hammer concert
Bon Jovi concert
Spending my 21st birthday at Hooters at Underground Atlanta because you forgot your ID and we couldn’t get into a club to dance
Seeing Willie Anderson play with the Spurs against the Hawks (and you touching Ice Cube’s thigh after the game!)
The greatest honor you bestowed upon me was telling me my soul was blacker than yours.
The last time I saw you was in 2009 when I brought my youngest daughter Molly to Atlanta for Christmas. I am glad she got to meet you. As always you were kind, funny, and most of all my sister. I am sorry we hadn’t really talked since then. I am saddened to have lost you too young. I am most sad that I cannot be there at your service today to hug Twanicka and Tomesha and to meet your granddaughter.
Until I see you on the other side,
Juel Yoder Russell
We went to different high schools and colleges, but that did not stop our friendship. East Atlanta football games were one of my favorite events to attend and watch you in the band playing the clarinet. You gave me the nickname Taj (Theresa, Angela, Juel).
Some of my favorite memories include:
Visiting you at college
Welcoming Twanicka and Tomesha into your life
Taking you to my college homecoming, and you convincing people you went to school there!
MC Hammer concert
Bon Jovi concert
Spending my 21st birthday at Hooters at Underground Atlanta because you forgot your ID and we couldn’t get into a club to dance
Seeing Willie Anderson play with the Spurs against the Hawks (and you touching Ice Cube’s thigh after the game!)
The greatest honor you bestowed upon me was telling me my soul was blacker than yours.
The last time I saw you was in 2009 when I brought my youngest daughter Molly to Atlanta for Christmas. I am glad she got to meet you. As always you were kind, funny, and most of all my sister. I am sorry we hadn’t really talked since then. I am saddened to have lost you too young. I am most sad that I cannot be there at your service today to hug Twanicka and Tomesha and to meet your granddaughter.
Until I see you on the other side,
Juel Yoder Russell