Obituary of Joan Luck Russ

Joan Luck Russ, a longtime resident of Melbourne, FL and formerly of Bedford County, passed away on Sunday, July 30, 2023, a few days before her 92nd birthday. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, William (Bill) Russ, a captain in the U. S. Navy (ret.) and her parents, Joseph Nathan Luck and Marion Nance Luck.

Joan earned her Master of Science Degree from Ohio State and did further graduate work at the University of Virginia.  She worked for the U. S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, D. C. and traveled widely both in the United States and abroad, in connection with the National School Lunch Program.  One of Joan's favorite stories was about her willingness to be a test subject for the as-yet-untested polio vaccine. 

Joan was very proud of her Southern and Virginia heritage, and had a keen interest in, and aptitude for, genealogical research.

Joan and Bill enjoyed spending time at their cabin on the Chesapeake Bay where they spent weekends crabbing before retiring and relocating to Melbourne.

She is survived by her nephews, W. Russ Summerell of Roatan, Honduras, J. J. Summerell of Greensboro, NC; her niece, Berta Summerell Hamilton of Wilmington, NC and her step-son, William R. Russ of Springfield, VA. 

In lieu of flower, please make donations to the SPCA of Brevard at www.spcabrevard.com or mailed to SPCA of Brevard, Inc., P. O. Box 5513, Titusville, FL 32783-5513. 

A graveside service will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, September 2, 2023 in Greenwood Cemetery.

Arrangements are being handled by Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford.