Frances Lomax Russ

Frances Lomax Russ passed away peacefully on April 25, 2024, in Raleigh, NC at the age of 94 surrounded by her loving family. Born Dora Frances Lomax in 1930 in Charlotte, NC to Henry Register and Deane Ritch Lomax, she was one of four extraordinary children in the Lomax family. She is preceded in death by her husband, Bobby Marvin Russ; her sister, Deanie Crowell; and brother, Henry Lomax. She is survived by her children: Bobby Marvin Russ, Jr. (Bridgette) of Sylva, William Henry Russ (Jennifer) of Durham, and Frances Russ Dickenson (Pat) of Raleigh; grandchildren: Bennett Russ (Hunter), Bella Dickenson, and Patrick Dickenson, Jr.; brother, Johnny Lomax (Jane) of Charlotte, NC; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

A bright and vivacious spirit, Fran graduated from Charlotte Central High School and UNC-Greensboro, when it was called Women’s College. Always an overachiever, she got her driver’s license at the age of 16 and her pilot’s license soon after that.

Her family spent their summers in Wrightsville Beach on North Channel Drive where she gained her love of fishing, boating, and all things on the salty water. She met Bobby on a blind date in Wrightsville Beach, and she reported that it was love at first sight. They were married at Hawthorne Lane United Methodist Church in Charlotte, NC on Aug 25, 1951, and moved to Atlanta, GA while he attended Emory Dental School. She worked for the phone company in Atlanta until the birth of their first son Bob.

They moved back to North Channel Drive while Bobby started his dentistry practice in Wilmington. With the birth of Bill and Frannie, they started thinking about building a house on what was then called Channel Acres Drive. She petitioned the town board to change the name of the street to “Pelican Drive” after watching the seabirds dive into Lee’s Cut. They chose the perfect waterfront lot and Fran designed the plans for the house that would maximize their water view. They built their dream home where they enjoyed countless sunsets, fish frys, and family time on the pier. There was always time for a visit while relaxing in white rocking chairs on the porch or taking a boat ride out to the sea buoy.

Fran flourished in the Wrightsville Beach community, becoming a legacy member of the Harbor Island Garden Club, playing fiercely in many bridge clubs, and raising her family at Wrightsville United Methodist Church. At church, she was a member of the Altar Guild, served on the Board of Trustees, was a part of the Stephen Ministries and Sunday School, and showed God’s love to others through service and relationships.

She enthusiastically served the Town of Wrightsville Beach through her 17 years on the Board of Aldermen and later became the first lady mayor of Wrightsville Beach in 1985. An advocate of parks and recreation, she left a legacy in helping create what we now know as “The Loop.” The Fran Russ Recreation Center and Russ Dr. can be seen at Wrightsville Beach Park. She has been named one of the key people who shaped Wrightsville Beach in her time as a public servant.

Working as a realtor with Bryant Real Estate, she sold numerous homes in New Hanover County, sometimes multiple times. In her spare time, she enjoyed writing and sharing her poetry, painting, traveling, gardening, and fishing with Bobby. They loved catching Blue Fish and Spanish Mackerel off Masonboro Inlet. Bobby would fry up their catch and make his world famous hush puppies for their close group of friends. She called the pier her “laughing place,” and loved to share it with friends and family. She was a good listener who counseled with friends and family, and supported her community with a quick wit and lots of love. A mama bear who adored her children and grandchildren, she would always end a phone call saying “I love you dearly.”

She lived at Wrightsville Beach until 2021, when she sold her cherished home on Pelican Drive and moved to Raleigh to be closer to her family. She had many bright moments in Raleigh that included trips to the NC Symphony, Art in Bloom at the NC Museum of Art, and picnics and celebratory meals with her children and grandchildren. The family would like to thank her multiple caregivers and friends at Abbotswood and Brighton Gardens, especially Jewlius. And a special thank you to her friend and angel, Myra Parry, who helped her stay at Wrightsville Beach as long as she could.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to The American Macular Degeneration Foundation.

A memorial service will be held at a later date at Wrightsville United Methodist Church.

Arrangements are by Bryan-Lee Funeral Home of Raleigh. Online condolences may be made at www.bryan-leefuneralhome.com