(From Parker Mortuary)Billie Ruth Russell (Schnick), 81, of Tipton Ford, left this earth on May 2, 2023, with loved ones by her side at St. Luke’s Nursing Center in Carthage MO after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.
She entered this world March 24, 1942, in Riverton, Kansas, the second of three children to Howard and Ruth Schnick.
She sang her first solo in church at the age of three, “Behold,” mesmerizing the congregation with her clear and strong voice, hitting every note and word.
She continued singing her entire life, singing hymns, classic songs from the American Songbook, and was classically trained by the late Oliver Sovereign. As a little girl, she preferred dungarees to dresses, running around with her best pals at Tennessee Prairie and in Baxter Springs. She met and fell in love with her lifelong sweetheart and they married January 10, 1958, sharing a love and creating a family that spanned a lifetime.
Billie had a love of learning, a talent for writing, and a passion for music. She made all of her children’s clothes from childhood through their teenage years, her Sunday pot roast was legendary, and she loved hosting family holidays and birthdays. She worked for many years at Joplin Supply Company, selling plumbing and electrical supplies to contractors and to the public, making many friends along the way, before leaving to support the family business, Russell Printing, and to become the primary care provider for the two children still at home.
Billie had a love of learning, a talent for writing, and a passion for music. She made all of her children’s clothes from childhood through their teenage years, her Sunday pot roast was legendary, and she loved hosting family holidays and birthdays. She worked for many years at Joplin Supply Company, selling plumbing and electrical supplies to contractors and to the public, making many friends along the way, before leaving to support the family business, Russell Printing, and to become the primary care provider for the two children still at home.
After the kids were launched, she re-entered the plumbing and lighting world with A.Y. McDonald Supply company, and after it closed, took her customer service skills to Ethan Allen, Westco, Better Living, and Hardwood Creations before retiring to spend time with her sweetheart. Her customers were always touched by her empathy and kindness, and would nearly always share their life stories with her.
She was a Girl Scout leader for her daughters and their friends, a Cub Scout den leader for her son, a Sunday School teacher, and a mom who always made sure her children had everything they needed, including love, musical abilities, and a strong moral compass.
She had a love of God and a relationship with Jesus, finding comfort in the arms of her faith, and shared her love and faith through music, singing in the choirs of the congregations she called home throughout her life. She taught her children compassion for others, and was a staunch defender of all people.
She was a Girl Scout leader for her daughters and their friends, a Cub Scout den leader for her son, a Sunday School teacher, and a mom who always made sure her children had everything they needed, including love, musical abilities, and a strong moral compass.
She had a love of God and a relationship with Jesus, finding comfort in the arms of her faith, and shared her love and faith through music, singing in the choirs of the congregations she called home throughout her life. She taught her children compassion for others, and was a staunch defender of all people.
Billie is survived by her husband of 65 years, Harold “Bud” Russell of Tipton Ford, her children: Julia Stone (Jim) of Joplin, Amy O’Dell (Rick, deceased) of Carthage, Stephen Russell (Peggy) of Crane, and Jennifer Russell (Glenn Woodard) of Detroit; Grandchildren: Lauren Bedell (Gary) of Springfield, Rita Perez (Danny) of New Orleans, Eric LaGrange of Joplin, and Susannah LaGrange of New Orleans; Louis Russell (Amanda) of Los Angeles, Sean O’Dell (Laila) of Carthage; William Russell of Springfield, Ethan Russell of Springfield, and Aubrey and Kai Woodard of Detroit; a brother, Ken Schnick of Neck City; five step-grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, cousins, and her sister-in-law, Carolyn Price (Jack) of Riverton. She also leaves behind friends who cared deeply for her, and will be mourned by her caregivers from St. Luke’s.
She was preceded in death by her father and mother, her sister Edna Mae Cramer (nee Schnick) and brother-in-law Norman of Grove, and her sister-in-law Barbara Cope (Russell), and a favorite cat Stormie.
Services will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 5, 2023 at Peace Lutheran Church in Joplin. Donations may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association of Southwest Missouri or to the national Alzheimer’s Association.
Billie’s life will be honored and remembered through the lives of her loved ones, and by those whose lives she touched. Her laughter is ringing in our hearts. She always believed that the most important thing Jesus ever said was John 13:34:
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary, Joplin, MO.
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