Earnestine Bromell Russell, also known as Tina Russell and affectionately called “Stick” by her family and close friends, was the first daughter and third child born to Beatrice Holmes Bromell and Charlie Lewis Bromell. Born on December 19, 1945 in Brookgreen Gardens located in Georgetown County, South Carolina, she grew up in a loving family in Pawleys Island where she attended Parkersville Elementary School. After the family moved to Plantersville, her parents’ ancestral home, she would attend and later graduate from Choppee High School in 1964. For over 30 years, she worked at Southern New England Bell Telecommunications (SNET).

She is survived by her loving husband of over 50 years, Herbert Russell of New Haven, Connecticut. Additionally, she is survived by her sister, Gloria Bromell Tinubu (Soji) of Atlanta; and three brothers, Freddie Bromell (Jacqueline) of New Haven, Marshall Bromell (Gail) of New Haven, and Ezekiel Bromell of New Haven; Jeannette Yvonne Scott, her youngest sister, Webster Bromell and Franklin Bromell, her two oldest brothers, predeceased her. Tina is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.