Bethany, MO: Doris Elaine Russell, 89, Bethany, MO passed away Monday, February 1, 2021 at a St. Joseph, MO hospital.
Elaine was the daughter of Rufus and Goldie Holley born in a farmhouse east of Bethany, MO on February 4, 1931. They preceded her in death along with her sister, Dorlene Kabel. Her sister, Eunice Holcomb, survives in Kansas City, MO.
She married Melvin Dean Russell on February 12, 1950 at 2 o’clock on a rainy day in Bethany, MO. They were always proud that Johnny and Dorothy Clark drove them in their 1929 Model A to their wedding. Melvin preceded her in death on November 1, 2004.
Melvin and Elaine had three sons. They were very proud of their children and instilled good God fearing ways in them. Their sons are Melvin Eugene Russell, Richard Laverne Russell, and Robert Wayne Russell. They had 11 grandchildren from their sons. Grandchildren, Jeremie Wayne Russell and Angela Bourne preceded them in death. They had 14 great grandchildren. She was recently blessed with one great-great grandson and also had many nieces, nephews, and cousins they dearly loved.
Elaine was a member of the Oakland Christian Church for many years before it closed its doors. She attended Coffey Baptist Church with her sister for many years and then attended the Highway Christian Church and Immanuel Baptist Church. She loved praising the Lord, being in church, and the fellowship church brought to her life. Elaine instilled the many blessings of the Lord in her family and friends.
She enjoyed family and they were important and essential to her life. She loved being with the kids and teaching them about God. She was the most patient woman with them all and always tried to teach them the ways to be good in life.
Elaine enjoyed helping her husband and sons with the plumbing business they owned (Russell’s Plumbing). They also dug graves for Roberson Funeral Home. She wasn’t afraid of hard work and she and her husband complemented each other in everything they did. They were a great team.
Elaine never knew a stranger and was happy to converse with all walk of people. She was kind and caring to everyone and loved to help others. She would always put herself behind to help others. She was an ear when you needed someone to listen, a voice of reason, and she was calming and comforting. She wasn’t afraid to tell you the truth even if you didn’t’ want to hear it but she was always fair and forgiving. Elaine had a way with words to be a lady and get her point across. She cared for many loved ones.
She enjoyed many fishing trips with family and friends and enjoyed spending time at Lake Viking in Gallatin, MO. Elaine enjoyed gardening, canning, sewing (teaching many grandchildren to sew), going to fifth Sunday meetings and revivals and attending many bible studies. She enjoyed family gatherings and going to the Northwest Missouri State Fair for many, many years. She always loved the festivities during community events. Elaine was her happiest when she was around others and believed family and friends and God were of the utmost importance for a happy life.
Elaine will be missed by anyone she encountered in her life. The memories she left with us will forever be cherished and her love will forever live with us all.
Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 6 at Roberson Funeral Home, Bethany, MO. Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery, Bethany, MO. The family will receive friends from 6:00 -8:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home where friends may call after 2:00 p.m. Social distancing will be observed and masks are recommended. Memorials may be made to Oakland Cemetery in care of Roberson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 46, Bethany, MO 64424. Online condolences may be left at www.robersonfuneralhome.com