Shella Diane Pinkney

Shella Diane (Russell) Pinkney, was born on May 11th, 1948 in Toledo, Ohio to the late Lois (Terry) Russell and Clinton Russell. She was called home to be with the Lord on May 25th, 2022. Growing up in the church she loved to praise the lord, singing in the choir and being very active in her church. She graduated from Whitney Vocational High School with a focus on Business Administration and worked at Smith’s Cafeteria where she met her love, Shedrick Pinkney III.

Shella went on to graduate from the University of Toledo with an Associates of Applied Science in Social Work and with over 20 years of management experience; she loved to help people and was always client focused. Shella had a great eye for home decor and could watch HGTV for hours. Shella created the most beautiful spaces in her homes and with her love of decorating came a great love and hobby of collecting bedroom comforters. She loved to shop, whether it was a comforter on sale or clothes. Shella was also amazing with a needle & thread and was always able to hem a skirt for her daughters or show her grandkids a thing or two about sewing. She was the neighborhood “mom” and her door was always open to whomever needed an extra home. She loved to take in nieces, nephews and her kids’ childhood friends, creating a safe haven for those who needed a little extra love and care because she had plenty to give.

Shella moved to Columbus, Ohio with her daughters in 2019 after the death of her husband and for the past three years traveled all over the United States and internationally. She loved to spend time with her family and looked forward to the big family dinners & parties. Shella was adored by her family and her presence & soul will be greatly missed by all who loved her.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, siblings, Sybe Russell, Clinton Russell, Kenneth Russell, Christopher Russell, Paula Russell and leaves to cherish her memory, children Vilicia (Deon) Bates, Satina (Jerald) Brown, Leahna (Travis) Little, Timothy (Raquelle) Hicks, siblings, Betty Young, Clifford (Jacqueline) Russell, Claudia Mayo, Keith Russell, Kevin (Cindy) Russell, Elizabeth Hicks, and Quincy Russell, sister-in-laws Charlotte Hoskins, Rose Brown, Deborah Russell and Cynthia Russell; grandchildren, Christian Bates, Deante (Kayla) Bates, Janae Brown, Dupre Bates, Jerald Brown II, Joselyn Brown, Travis Little, Montrez Little, Mylee Little, Tarek Hicks, Timothy Hicks, Jr., Eden Hicks, Rowan Hicks, Hope Hicks, Gavin Hicks, great-grandchildren, Ky’Leal Bates, Ayden Davis, and Millie Bates, special children, nieces and nephews, Renee Washington, Tony (Tawana) Warfield, Dominque White, Tiffiny Mack, Johnny Hicks, Claudette (Brian) Whittington, Tamara Russell, Craig (Jennifer) Hoskins, along with a host of nieces, nephews, god children and friends. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Visitation 12:00 PM and Funeral Service 1:00 PM Saturday, June 4, 2022 at St. Paul AME Church, 639 E. Long Street 43215. Ministry of Comfort entrusted to MARLAN J. GARY FUNERAL HOME, THE CHAPEL OF PEACE EAST, 5456 E. LIVINGSTON AVE.