Anita A. Russell
May 27, 1948 - September 12, 2020

Obituary
On Saturday afternoon of September 12, 2020, God selected one of his beautiful flowers to put on display. He said, I need a flower that can stand the storm and rain, a flower that is not afraid to call my name. I need a flower that is not seeking riches or fame, but a flower that will honor me and not be ashamed.

As God walked through the garden and inspected his flowers, he said, I need a flower full of energy, vigor and grace, with undaunted courage to face life's challenges and keep pace among teacher, psychometrists, realtors and others in her space. With this formula, God reached out to Anita Dansby Russell, and offered her his embrace. So Anita left behind her family and friends and became a part of the heavenly garden and claimed her space.

Anita Dansby Russell was born on May 27, 1948 in San Antonio, Texas as the second oldest child of Thomas J. Dansby, Sr and Villa Glasco Dansby. She was the oldest girl and accepted the challenge of leading the way for her other siblings. While her older brother Thomas, played the trumpet, Anita wanted to exhibit her musical skills and chose to play the clarinet. She played in the Douglas Junior High School Band and the Brackenridge High School Band.

Anita graduated from Southwest Texas State University, now Texas State University with a Bachelor's degree in Business Education, it was here that she was initiated into the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Then she earned a Master's Degree in Counseling and Guidance from Prairie View A & M University. She went on to work as a Business Education Instructor at St. Phillip's College.

Anita taught in the San Antonio Independent School District then became an educational diagnostician where she administered assessments to students. She became a licensed real estate salesperson in 1975 and later became a mortgage broker in 1994. After retiring from the school district, she became the founder and President to Atlantic American Financial and Investment and Atlantic Financial Institute. Anita was a member of the National Mortgage Bankers Association, the San Antonio Chapter of the Association of Professional Mortgage Women and the San Antonio Board of Realtors.

Anita was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas J. and Villa G. Dansby and her brother, Dr. Thomas Dansby. She is survived by her siblings and their spouses; Dr. Jacqueline O. Dansby, Dr. Gloria Dansby-Giles (Dr. Frank) and Lowell C. Dansby (Linda) along with nieces, nephews and other family members.

I See You- Anita

(Tribute Written by Dr. Gloria Dansby-Giles in Honor of Anita Dansby-Russell)

I SEE you full of life, energy, vigor and grace
With undaunted courage to face
Life challenges and keep your pace
Among teachers, realtors and others in your space.

I SEE you as you talk and drive fast,
I SEE you as you hold beliefs and ideas steadfast.
I SEE you as your words outlast
The most talkative person in a newscast.

I SEE you in bad times when you find humor to make us smile
I guess it’s a part of your style.
You sit and rest for only a little while,
Then moving, talking and looking for what is worthwhile
And energetic within your lifestyle.

I SEE you as you teach,
And help students so they can reach,
Goals, skills as they seek,
To uncover talents within their reach.

I SEE you with houses to sell,
Sharing stories about each one as you tell
Its features and values on the guardrail.

I SEE you in everyone I meet,
And think of how you loved to greet,
And make friends and offer them a seat,
And encourage them to stay upbeat.

I SEE you.
I REMEMBER you Anita.

From your sister,
Gloria
Contributor: Gene (47529496) • [email protected]