Katie I. Russell French Gross, age 86, of Marion, went to be with the Lord on Sunday evening, January 30, 2011, at her residence surrounded by her loving family following an extended illness.
On January 6, 1925, Katie was born in Ironton, Ohio, the daughter of the late Elmer and Bertha (Abrams) Russell.
Katie married Howard M. French, on October 1, 1941, in Gallipolis, Ohio.
Katie and Howard moved several times throughout Howard’s career in the United States Army. In 1951, Katie and Howard moved to Marion, Ohio, where they resided with their young family. Together they lovingly raised their ten children and worked hard to make sure “they never went to bed hungry, and always had clean clothes to wear.”
Katie was a loving homemaker and worked many hours outside the home as a housekeeper cleaning several homes throughout the Marion area. Katie worked endless hours in the kitchen canning vegetables and fruits for the winter from the many gardens she and Howard created. In April of 1976, after nearly thirty-five of marriage, Howard precedes in her death.
After moving to Marion, Ohio, Katie attended the Christ and Christian Union Church. She made every effort to attend church services every Sunday with her family. It was there that she met many people who would become her cherished lifetime friends.
A second chance at love, Katie married Robert C. Gross on April 1, 1988. Together they shared a love for traveling, taking many trips to places like New York, Las Vegas, California, and Mexico. In August 1990, Robert precedes her in death.
Katie was a member of the V.F.W. Post 3313, American Legion Post 584, and the Marion Senior Center, where she enjoyed going to listen to their country music performances. Also, it was well known that she “could out dance anyone on the dance floor.”
With a love for shopping, Katie would shop “anywhere and everywhere” as long as she was with her family. And when she wasn’t looking for a place to shop, she would be looking for a good place to eat.
To say Katie was ornery would be quite the understatement. With her fun loving, playful and bubbly personality, she was always the life of the party. Her family will forever be blessed with countless stories that will keep them laughing for many years to come.
For Katie, her children and grandchildren were her world. She showered all of them with love. Katie was always available to her family and listened with an honest, caring, and open heart. She encouraged each and every one of them to fulfill their dreams.
For over the past twenty years, Katie has enjoyed sharing her life with her long time friend and companion, Charles Elliott. They cherished their time together and spending their winters in Florida. They enjoyed going out to eat, taking long drives, and visiting with friends. Katie also loved tending to her flower garden, which was filled with a variety of bright and colorful flowers.
She will be dearly missed by her six children: Elmer (Carolyn) French, William “Bill” (Sandy) French, Eloise (Doug Barnwell) Moore, Marilyn (Ray) Moore, Ricky (fiancé Donna Henderson) French, and Vickie (Robert) Kanniard, all of Marion; two daughters-in-law: Minnie French of Pedro, Ohio, and Edris French of New Bloomington; 28 grandchildren, 56 great-grandchildren, and 16 great-great grandchildren, with one more on the way; a brother, Jimmy Russell of Oak Hill; countless nieces and nephews; and by her companion, Charles Elliott of Marion.
Including her parents and husbands, Katie was preceded in death by four of her sons: Howard “Gene”, Larry, Roger and Randy French; four brothers: Ernest “Chop”, Manuel “Spider”, Elmer “Kitty”, and Orville Russell; and three sisters: Bessie Summers, Viola Aldridge, and Elizabeth Turvey.
Katie’s family will greet friends from 4 – 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 4, 2011, at the Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home, 360 E. Center St., Marion. Services celebrating unique life will also be held there on Friday at 11:00 a.m., with Pastor Owen Lindsey officiating. Burial will follow in Chapel Heights Memory Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Central Ohio Diabetes Association, and they may be sent to the care of the funeral home.
For those wishing to express their private condolences online to Katie’s family, you may do so online by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
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