BETTY LOU RUSSELL

Betty Lou Russell

Betty Lou Russell, age 66, a resident of Fort Scott, died Saturday, December 2, 2006, at Mt. Carmel Medical Center in Pittsburg, Kansas. She was born April 26, 1940, in Harriett, Arkansas, the daughter of James Otto Stephenson and Verbel Viola King Stephenson.

She married Gerald A. Russell on November 11, 1957, at the Grace Baptist Tabernacle in Fort Scott. Betty was a graduate of Fort Scott High School and she attended Fort Scott Community College.

She was a lifelong member of Grace Baptist Tabernacle, where she volunteered as a Sunday school teacher for many years. Betty also helped with the Grace Baptist Tabernacle bus ministry for 35 years.

The children that rode the bus referred to her as "Aunt Betty" and "Grandma Betty." She was also a pro- life worker for several years.

She is survived by her husband, Gerald, of the home; one son, Steven Russell, Wichita; a daughter. Tammy McKibben and husband, Murl, Redfield; and a sister, Carol Jean Bradley and husband, Charles, Fort Scott. Also surviving are two grandchildren. Tiffany Foster and Sierra Loar; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and foster grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by a son. Mark Russell, and a sister, Nadiene Bennette.

The Rev. Paul Rooks and the Rev. A. F. Collins will conduct funeral services at 11 a.m., Thursday, December 7, 2006, at Grace Baptist Tabernacle.

Following the funeral service there will be cremation. A visitation will be held Wednesday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Grace Baptist Mission Fund and may be sent to Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701.