South Bend, IN – Tarah Mae Mwalwanda, 42, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, September 6, 2026, at Memorial Hospital, with her loving family by her side.

Tarah was born on September 22, 1983, in Cadillac, Michigan. Her family later moved to Elkhart, where she graduated from Concord High School with the Class of 2002. Tarah was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Robert Shoemaker.

She will be deeply missed by her loving parents, Terry and Jeanna (Hoover) Russell; her children, Faith Mwalwanda and Khole Cureton; her maternal grandmother, Jean Shoemaker; her sister, Amanda Brake; her brother, Jeremi (Andrea) Russell; her grandchildren, Davina & Da’Vontae Jr., Grace; her nieces, Rayvin Andresen, Alanis Brake, and Scarlett Brake; and numerous extended family members, friends, and associates.

Tarah was a loving daughter, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, and friend who brought her own unique sparkle to everything she did. She enjoyed hunting for four-leaf clovers, watching crime documentaries, scrapbooking, coloring, taking selfies, and bedazzling just about everything she could get her hands on. She took great pride in her beautiful fingernails and loved giving herself manicures. Above all, Tarah cherished her family and especially loved smooching and spending time with her grandchildren. Her vibrant personality, creativity, and loving spirit will be remembered and treasured by all who knew her.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. Planned Parenthood or grasphelp.org

The family requests plants (not cut flowers) and/or wind chimes in Tarah’s memory.

The family will celebrate Tarah’s life at a Celebration of Life on Friday, September 18, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. at Chapel Hill Funeral Home.

She will be laid to rest at a private family ceremony in Bristol, Indiana, in the spring of 2027.