Clovia E. Russell

April 18, 1953 - January 10, 2012

Clovia Russell was born in Sarasota, Florida on April 18, 1953 to the late Reverend Harold E. Byrd, Sr. and Ruby Johnson Byrd. Clovia grew up in the Sarasota-Bradenton area attending schools in Sarasota and Manatee counties. She graduated from Manatee High School in May 1970 and was crowned the first African-American Jamboree Queen of Manatee High School. After graduating, she attended Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (Florida A & M) before entering the United States Army. She served four years in the army, serving three years at Ft. Huachuca, Arizona as Military Supervisor. She attended University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida graduating with a BBA in Management in 1980 and a Master of Human Resource Management in 1989. Clovia worked in management for Southern Bell (which later became Bellsouth, then AT&T) in Jacksonville from 1980 through October 1991. She was the Director of the Community Services Department for the City of Jacksonville, Florida from 1991 until 1995. Clovia returned to Bradenton in 1995 and worked for Rural Health, the Housing Authority of Sarasota, FL, Sarasota United for Responsibility and Equity, Inc. and most recently for Arcadis U.S, Inc.Clovia received salvation and joined Truvine Missionary Baptist Church at an early age during summer Vacation Bible School and when the family moved to Bradenton, became a member of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church. When she returned as an adult to Bradenton, she rejoined Truvine Missionary Baptist Church where she faithfully served as an assistant Sunday School Teacher and produced the Church’s newsletter as long as her health would allow. She also faithfully attended a weekly Bible Study Group, Bible Study Fellowship International, for several years.Clovia received numerous recognitions and awards and participated in numerous community activities. This included among others 1997 Outstanding Young Woman of America, 1990 Jacksonville Job Corps Center’s Outstanding Woman of Achievement, 1991 YWCA Tribute to Women in Industry, J.C. Penney’s Golden Rule Award in 1994 and the Gateway Girl Scout Council’s Women of Distinction Award. She was an alumni of both Leadership Jacksonville and Leadership Manatee. She is a life member of the National Council of Negro Women, She was a former Board Member of several organizations including the 12 Who Care Council of WTLV-12, Northeast Florida AIDS Network, Duval Public Education Foundation, HRS District Four Juvenile Justice Board and the Suncoast Workforce Board. Clovia was a committed community worker and ran for Bradenton City Council in 2003. Clovia was a Soror of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.Clovia is survived by her mother, Ruby Byrd; brother Harold E. Byrd, Jr. (Bradenton City Councilman) and his wife Sharon Byrd; sister, Carol Byrd of Fayetteville, Georgia and her son Brian Glasper; nieces Alma Colvin, Katrina Colvin of Bradenton and Althea Miller of Winter Park, Florida; one aunt, Helen Clark and her husband Lee Clark of Sarasota, Florida.   She also leaves a God-brother Joseph Henry. She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and sorrowing friends and sorrowing friends.Clovia departed this life on Tuesday, January 10, 2012. Visitation will be from 5:00pm until 6:00 pm on Friday, January 20, 2012 at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Bradenton, Florida, Rev. James Roberts, Pastor. A memorial service will immediately follow at 6:00p.m. Funeral services in celebration of Clovia Russell’s life will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2012 at 1:00p.m. at Truvine Missionary Baptist Church in Sarasota, Florida, Rev. Gregory Harris, Sr., Pastor. The family has requested in lieu of flowers make donations to American Cancer Society in her loving memory.