Ofelia Flores Russell

Ofelia Flores Russell, a beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and aunt, passed away peacefully on September 10, 2026, at the age of 89.

Born in Brownsville, Texas on April 11, 1937, Ofelia was one of five children of immigrants from Spain who were successful farmer/ranchers in south Texas. She graduated from Brownsville High School and attended Texas Southmost College before working and retiring as a Budget Analyst from the United States Department of Defense. Many of her happiest moments were celebrating holidays with the growing family of siblings and their children in their parents’ home near the Rio Grande River.

As the wife of a career military officer, she lived in many places from California to Kentucky, Leesville to Orlando, Texas, Atlanta, and then retired to Baton Rouge. But she always referred to the land in Brownsville as “home”.

Living on a golf course in Orlando, she learned to play golf with Walter and enjoyed the friendships developed on the course in couples’ tournaments and their supper club.

Most recently, they resided in Baton Rouge where she never missed an event involving her grandchildren including ball games, cheer events, school plays and more. She was a devout and faithful member of St. George Catholic Church and very proud to worship in the beautiful new sanctuary.

Ofelia and her husband CSM (Ret.) Walter Edward Russell recently marked their 40th wedding anniversary.

She is survived by her husband, Walter; daughter, Sandra Cadriel Cox (Keith)Baton Rouge; and grandchildren that she loved dearly; William Andrew Flores Cox (Baton Rouge), Alexandra L. Cox (Charleston, SC) and Olivia M. Cox (New York/Charleston). She also leaves behind sister Celia Flores Garcia (Raymondville, TX), and sisters-in-law Glenda Russell Giovannoni (Boca Raton) and Evana Flores Davis (San Benito) as well as nieces and nephews who held a special place in her heart, including Lilia Garcia, Alessandra Garcia Potts (Elton), Diana Whitworth Nelson (Joel), Judge Mark Whitworth (Jenna), Danny Whitworth (Connie), and Dr. Ted Whitworth (Angela) as well as great nieces and nephews.

Ofelia was reunited in eternity with her parents, Manuel Flores-Martinez and Maria Cantu Flores; brothers, SGT Roberto Flores and Manuel Flores; sister, Edelmira Flores Whitworth; and her brothers-in-law, Dr. Martin E. Garcia and Paul Edward Whitworth.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects during an evening visitation to be held at Darling-Mouser Funeral Home, Brownsville on Wednesday, September 16 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Ofelia's life and faith will take place at Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Brownsville on Thursday, September 17 at 9:00 AM.

Interment will follow in the Flores family plot at Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens in her hometown of Brownsville, Texas.