Joan Russell

(From Parker Mortuary)

Betty Joan Burnham Russell, age 84, Carl Junction, passed away on Thursday, October 2, 2014 at her home after a lengthy illness.

Joan was born September 22, 1930 to Orval W. Burnham and Ethel Z. Garrison Burnham in Carl Junction, Missouri. She graduated from Carl Junction High School in 1948 where she was Salutatorian of her class. Joan worked as a secretary at Brady-Stevens of Joplin, and was secretary for the Carl Junction School District. She was also a teller at the Carl Junction Bank, and worked with Surgi Manufacturing as their bookkeeper.

She met the love of her life, Charles P. Russell, who was a former World War II soldier taking classes under the GI Bill. They were married on April 11, 1959 in the First Baptist Church of Carl Junction. They lived in Merrium, Kansas for the next 54 years, and returned to Carl Junction just recently to be with family.

Joan was a very talented needle worker, and made dozens of quilts for family, countless braided rugs for her home and family, and hundreds of Raggedy Anne and Andy Dolls that she sold for many years at the Old Shawnee Town and Shawnee Farmer's Market. She was named Kansas Folk Life Person of Interest for her work on her rugs, and held several presentations and demonstrations of her craft throughout the state of Kansas.

She was a dedicated genealogist who traced her ancestors back to the American Revolution, and was inducted into the society of First Families of Ohio. She was a member of the John Ross Chapter of the DAR in Shawnee, Kansas. Her hobbies also included cannery which she won numerous awards at the Johnson County Fair. She was also an avid Scrabble player who played her game every night.

Survivors include her husband of 55 years, Charles of Carl Junction; children, Sara Kitch (John), Jana Russell (Phil Anderson), and David Russell (Jodi); grandchildren, John, Laura, Tyler (Kati), Leslie Goodwin (Daniel), Hollie Petry (Luke); great-grandchildren, Alexis and Sutton; brother, Richard Burnham (Carole); several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Joan was preceded in death by her sister, Virginia Thomas.

Funeral services will be Monday, October 6, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. in Parker Mortuary Chapel with Rev. Bill Kenagy officiating. Interment will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery with family serving as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends at Parker Mortuary on Sunday from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Contributions can be made to Shawnee Town (Museum) or Johnson County Public Library.