Mrs Betty S. Russell

Betty Swindle Russell passed away at home on Saturday, May 9, 2015 following a lengthy illness. Born October 9, 1926, she was 88 years old. She was predeceased by her parents, Elizabeth and Robert Swindle; her brothers, Deleon Swindle and Robert Swindle, Jr.; her son Larry Russell; and her husband George Russell to whom she was married for 51 years. She is survived by her son Samuel Russell and his wife Dawn of McCalla; daughter-in-law Patricia Russell of McCalla; grandchildren Kelli Underwood and her husband John of Ashville; Robin Davis of McCalla; Wesley Russell and his wife Susanne of Hoover; Todd Russell and his wife Kari of Franklin, Tennessee; her great-grandchildren Sam Harless, Olivia Harless, Isaiah Davis, Lydia Davis, William Russell, Adam Russell, Anne Russell, Hudson Russell, Caroline Russell and Eden Russell. Betty was born in Tuscaloosa County and moved with her family to Bessemer as an infant. She graduated McAdory High School in 1944 and worked at First National Bank in Bessemer for several years until the birth of her sons. Always very involved in the lives of her young sons, she worked tirelessly in the McAdory PTA. She also was an active member of the McAdory Band Boosters. Betty was a life-long member of Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church in McCalla. She was a children's Sunday School teacher beginning in the mid-fifties and continuing through 1970. She was instrumental, along with other United Methodist Women, in beginning a Chrismon Tree project at Pleasant Hill in 1976. Many of the handmade monograms of Christ continue to adorn Pleasant Hill's Chrismon Tree during Advent. As plans were being made to observe Pleasant Hill's Sesquicentennial year in 1982, Betty was part of a group of ladies who completed 12 needlepoint kneeling cushions with a heritage theme for the church altar. She was a member of the Pleasant Hill History Committee which created The Gathering Place, a beautiful history of Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church which was published in 1993. She served for many years on the Administrative Board. Betty was a faithful member of the Nellie Yingling Sunday School Class and served as President of United Methodist Women for several years. Pallbearers will be Wes Russell, Todd Russell, Sam Harless, John Underwood, Charles Rigby and Edward Wilson. Visitation will be held at Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church in McCalla on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. with the funeral service to follow at 11:00 a.m. at the church. The Reverends Alan Head and Monica Harbarger will officiate. Interment will follow at Jefferson Memorial Gardens, South in Hoover. The family wishes to thank Dawn Russell, Kelli Underwood, Priscilla Wilson and Donna Payne who provided such excellent care for our beloved Betty for over two years. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church Building Fund, 4809 Bell Hill Road, Bessemer, Alabama 35022. McCalla Memorial Funeral Home will be directing.

Mrs Betty S. Russell

October 9, 1926 - May 9, 2015