Marvanuel E. Russell also known as Van, Ice Grumma, & Vanny Wanny of sunny  Baltimore, MD, passed away on October 05, 2024, surrounded by her friends and family.

Marvanuel, entered the world on March 18, 1957 first born child to Melvin & Ida Mae Russell in Concord North Carolina, immediately brought joy and laughter into the world. The family moved to Baltimore in 1962 so her father Melvin can began his career at Bethlehem Steel. Marvanuel was very smart, she wore cat eyed glasses while going to Mary E. Rodman Elementary school 204 where they wanted to skip her two grades. Vanny Wanny went on to graduate from Gwynns Falls Junior High, school 91 as an honor student. She continued her education at Edmondson high school where she graduated with high honors  in 1975. Vanny Wanny was the life of the party every where she went, she impersonated Boy Gorge and won talent shows. She also was a Betty Boop look alike, she loved Betty; she was our Betty Boop.  Towards the end of High schooling she met Conrade Countess in the neighborhood. Vanny Wanny & Conrade had a set of twins that proceeded their first baby boy Corey J. Countess in 1976. Two years later they conceived and had their second baby boy Martez M. Countess in 1978. Vanny Wanny met Calvin D Leigh towards the end of 1978 which resulted in them having her first & only baby girl Charelle M. Leigh in 1980, & Later in life she married Mr. Leigh. During her first marriage she continued her education in The Culinary Arts by graduating from TAPPS Cooking school, & worked at Denny's as an Assisted Chief to support her family. She also worked with her Mom Ida Mae in the cafeteria of Baltimore City public schools on and off during the thirty years of Ida Mae's employment. Marvanuel was a fiercely dedicated mom to all of her children, raising all three of them, and her niece Catrina as her own helping them to go on to accomplish great things. As time went on Vanny Wanny married again to Randolph McCory unfortunately he left her a widow. That did not stop her from continuing to love, she met and fell in love with Edward Dabney whom she been with for the last 15 years. Who was by her side when she took her last breathe. Family came first and was above all else to Vanny Wanny, a value she instilled in all those around her. The hole left by her absence is impossible to fill.

Marvanuel was predeceased by Melvin Russell (father), Ida Mae Russell (mother),  Alger Russell (brother), Cecelia Russell (sister) Martez Countess (son), Conrade Countess (son's father), Calvin Leigh (daughter's father) Randolph McCory (husband). She is survived by two children Corey J. Countess and Charelle M. Leigh; two  siblings Ellen Smith and Wardell Russell; seven grandchildren Dayonna, Sha'Naya, Monaye, Raymonde, Jaylen, Reign & Baby Martez and host of nieces & nephews.

"You don't need to dull your shine for anyone, let them wear sunglasses. The opinion which other people have is their problem not yours" Amen -July 2023 My Mama fridge quote of the day. 

"Everything will work out in the end, you don't need to know how, you just have to trust that it will, never let a bad situation bring out the worst in you, be strong & choose to be positive" - Feb 3, 2024  My Mama fridge quote of the day.

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