Generosity, service are Russell’s trademarks

Sometimes it seems like Denise Russell is everybody’s angel.

The 57-year-old school system worker cooked food in bulk when it snowed and took it to friends, acquaintances and some people she didn’t even know. She shoveled sidewalks and brushed the snow and ice from her neighbors’ vehicles.

When she knows of someone who is sick or injured, she always takes food. Brunswick stew, chicken and rice soup and spaghetti and meatballs are among her specialties.

She hands out gift cards in retail stores, pays for the people behind her in the drive-through line and more.

“I’m not a receiver,” she explains. “I love to give. I enjoy it.”

Russell was a reluctant participant for a story on herself after her mother set her up to be interviewed.

“She’s just good to everybody,” said Maureen Franz, her mother.

Friends of Russell’s say the same thing.

“She’s been such a good friend to me,” said Shirley Snead, who has known Russell for years. “Her heart is so big. She’s trying to help everybody.”

It’s not just friends and relatives that Russell helps. Snead recalled a time a woman stopped at the School Board office seeking help. Russell found out about it and endeavored to help the woman.

“She was basically homeless, and they had a family, and she starts calling all her friends and contacts to find them furniture and clothes,” Snead said. “It’s not one specific person. It could be anybody. She’s got a heart as big as the sky.”

Snead said Russell makes goodie bags for people who are going through a rough time or sometimes will send a card for no reason whatsoever.

“She always knows when you’re having a bad day or feeling bad,” said Cecelia Strickland, another friend. “It seems like she just flies in right at that moment. She’s my angel.”

Strickland said Russell brought chicken, pies and a card when her husband had surgery.

“I wish more people would be like her and sincere,” Strickland said. “She’s just a dear person.”

Russell knows what it’s like to be down for the count. She survived acute myeloid leukemia in 2002. She says the chemotherapy treatments almost killed her.

“It was such a strain,” she said. “You just can’t imagine.”

But after she beat the illness, she was back in action.

“She’s like Florence Nightingale,” Snead said. “She always makes you laugh. She’s just got a heart of gold.”

One time, Russell even bought popcorn for some kids at the movies after she saw them looking longingly at the concession stand.

“You’ve got to have popcorn when you go to the movies,” Russell said matter-of-factly.

Russell says her actions are mostly out of her control.

“Sometimes God just puts things within you, and you don’t have control,” she said. “I’m a big believer in you get what you give. If you give kindness, it will come back.”

Russell said she has been blessed and aims only to extend those blessings to others.

“I have so much to be thankful for,” she said. “It is not me that does it. God puts it in my heart.”