Feb. 15, 1944 — April 29, 2016

NATCHEZ- Services for Suzanne “Suzi” Kergosien Russ, 72, of Natchez, who died Friday, April 29, 2016, at Tulane Medical Center, surrounded by her family, will be 11 a.m. today at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Ferriday with the Rev. Louis Sklar officiating.

Suzi was born Feb. 15, 1944, in Bogalusa, La., the daughter of Emmett Joseph Kergosien and Ruby Blackwell Kergosien.

She graduated from Bogalusa High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Southern Mississippi.  She was a member of USM’s dance line, the Dixie Darlings, and danced in the Sugar Bowl and aboard the U.S.S. Lexington.

She married the love of her life, Robert David “Bobby” Russ, in August of 1965.  She taught physical education and modern dance for 30 years in the Natchez-Adams school system and was the director of the Rebelettes, Colonel’s Ladies and Lady Blues from 1968-1997.  These girls were her pride and joy, winning many state championships and placing third in the nation, which gained them the spotlight on ESPN multiple times.

She was a member of St. Mary Basilica, Pilgrimage Garden Club, Kappa Delta Sorority, University of Southern Mississippi Alumni Association, and was the President of the Purple Ladies and Kappa Delta Alumni Association.  She also served as judge of many national dance team competitions.  In 1980, she was awarded the USM Service Award and was recently nominated for the Caring Woman Award for Mentoring.

She loved being a grandmother, playing cards, attending musical shows, reading, writing, cooking, dancing and the company of her friends, most notably at “Tuesdays with Suzi.” She was an avid USM Eagles fan and loved attending USM football games.

Mrs. Russ was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of almost 50 years Robert David Russ; and her good friend Charlie Ratcliff.

Survivors include her two sons, David Kurt Russ and wife Dr. Jennifer Vermaelen Russ and Robert Chandler Russ and his wife Sarah Ucinski Russ, both of Natchez; her daughter, Julie Russ Simmons and husband Richard Lawrence Simmons Jr. of Metairie, La; her sister, Andree Kergosien Herrington and husband John Clyde Herrington,of Metairie, La; six grandchildren, Chandler Renee Russ, Annie Hebert Russ, John David “Jack” Russ, Robert Noah Russ, Katherine Kergosien Simmons, Richard Lawrence Simmons III; one niece, Jeanne Herrington DeBuys; and numerous nephews.

Honorary pallbearers will be John Clyde Herrington, Tommy Bush, Nathan Bush, Scrappy Barrett, D. Hall, Bobby Israel, Bruce Bienvenu, Michael Ratcliff, Sterling Dossett, and Don Shelton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Cathedral School, 701 N. Martin Luther King St., Natchez, MS 39120.

Online condolences may be sent to lairdfh.com.