Carol Russell

(From Simpson Funeral Home)

Carol Jane Russell, born on October 19, 1950, in Webb City, passed away on March 30, 2026, in Joplin.

Maya Angelou once said, “In order to be a mentor, and an effective one, one must care. You must care. You don't have to know how many square miles are in Idaho, you don't need to know what is the chemical makeup of chemistry, or of blood or water. Know what you know and care about the person, care about what you know and care about the person you're sharing with.”






Carol was a passionate caregiver who worked in the nursing field for almost 50 years. Her dedication to the field and to her patients was an inspiration to those around her. As a nurse practitioner, she taught the next generation of professionals, leading with love, and leaving a piece of herself in every one of her students. Her strong presence and caring heart leave a legacy that will live on through them.

She was a free spirit and loved to travel. Any chance she got, she was on a boat, a bus, or a plane, experiencing all that life had to offer with her mother Mary and aunt Al. She loved the finer things in life, whether it be a perfectly cooked steak or a elegant Coach bag. She deserved the best and she knew it. This extended to her family and her dogs. They were the most important things in the world to Carol, and she loved nothing more than to spoil them rotten.

She had a rich personal life and enjoyed a variety of hobbies. She enjoyed reading, following Cardinals baseball, and watching the news. She was a fan of WWE, and passed this love on to her granddaughter, Chloe. She loved to cook and was very passionate about carrying on her family legacy through food. In another life, she became a prima ballerina with her dear friend, Becky Mitchell.

Carol is survived by her daughters, Carla (Dena) Lantz and Opal Russell; grandchildren Chloe (Timothy) Boone, Rylee (Isabella) Boone; brother Bud; cousin Connie (Mike) Baird; and special friend Brian Boone. She was preceded in death by her mother Mary Williams; her father Vernon Williams; her aunt Alice Roeber; and animals Daisy, Toby, The Great Cat Lucy, Ruggy, Toodles, Ruby, and Olive.

A funeral service will be held on April 4th, 2pm at Simpson Funeral Home in Webb City.

Services are under the personal care and direction of Simpson Funeral Home. The family encourages relatives and friends to visit www.simpsonfh.com to share photos and memories of their loved one, Carol Russell. Remember to celebrate Carol's life, the joy she spread, her resilience, and the love she had for her family. In doing so, we keep her spirited essence alive in our hearts.