Elizabeth Ann Danysh Sanders Russell, 100 years of age, of San Antonio Texas, passed away on August 1, 2026. Elizabeth was born June 13, 1926 in Yorktown, Texas, to Mary (Lempa) and Ben Danysh. She grew up in Karnes City, Texas, and graduated from Karnes City High School. She earned an Associate of Arts Degree in Elementary Education from San Antonio College and was a substitute teacher.
In December 1946, she married Lt Henry Sanders, a fighter pilot in the Air Force, with whom she raised four children until his death in 1964. In 1975 she married Major Kenneth C. Russell, an all-weather fighter interceptor pilot, and was step- mother to his three children, Gail Russell Colbath, Sharon Russell Nusbaum, and Kenneth Russell Jr.(“Rusty,” deceased).
Elizabeth’s favorite hobbies and activities included organ music, world travel, lovebird parrots, word puzzles, and Bingo, where she won many quarters in her retirement home. An active member of Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and earlier at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, she was President of the Ladies’ Altar Society there. Elizabeth will be remembered for her dedication to her faith, especially to the Blessed Virgin Mary (making devoted pilgrimages to Lourdes and Fatima) the most holy Rosary, and to her family and friends.
Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, by Major Russell, and by her older sisters Rosemary (Col. Gordon) Tull, Eleanor (Dr. Santino) Lerro, and Helen Danysh. She is survived by her sister Kathryn (Dr. Jack) Goodrich and brothers Richard (Mary) Danysh and Ralph Danysh. Preceded in death by her daughter Amy Elizabeth, she is survived by her daughters Linda Revere, PhD, and Jeanne Thuraisamy (Dr. Francis), son Robert Sanders, and grandson Joseph Thuraisamy.
Donations can be made to Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in San Antonio.
