Reba Russell
May 29, 2019 ~ April 16, 2008
Reba Jane Bolton Russell, 88, left this joyful life on Wednesday, April 16, 2008, for life even more joyful in the presence of Christ and her loved ones gone before. She was born in Shelby County, Texas, on May 25, 1919, and died in Abilene, Texas. Mrs. Russell graduated from high school in Nacogdoches and received both bachelors and masters degrees from Stephen F. Austin State University. She loved teaching high school math and occasionally Spanish for thirty-eight years in San Augustine, Angelina, Upshur, Gregg, and Cass counties. She retired with her husband in 1978 after twenty-four years in the Hughes Springs Schools. Mrs. Russell enjoyed ten years of retirement in Hughes Springs before moving to Longview in 1988. She remained in Longview until 2005 when she moved to Abilene to be near her son and daughter-in-law. During her very full lifetime she was always active in a local Baptist church, typically teaching ladies' Sunday School classes. She was a lifetime member of the Texas State Teachers Association, the Delta Kappa Gamma Society, and Gregg County Retired Teachers Association. She loved card and domino games which she enjoyed at every opportunity with many, many friends. Those friends would also tell you that she was quite a cook, famous for her holiday dressing and caramel pies! Mrs. Russell was married to Harvey D. Russell, also of Shelby County, in 1941; her husband preceded her in death in 1998. She is survived by her son and his wife, Steve and Rebecca Russell of Abilene; two grandsons and a grand-daughter-in-law: Nathan Russell of Tyler and Joseph and Julia Russell of Hallsville; one great grand-daughter, Jamie Abigail Russell of Hallsville; and one niece, Anne Truitt Reese of Longview, Washington. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Reeder-Davis Funeral Home in Hughes Springs and will include a celebration service and memorial at 10 am Friday morning, April 18th, in the funeral home chapel. Because Mrs. Russell always enjoyed wearing bright colors, the family requests that guests at her service pay tribute to her by wearing bright colors. Private burial will be in Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center, Texas. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6-8pm, Thursday evening, April 17th. Please, in lieu of flowers, honor this memorable teacher by contributing to the Hughes Springs High School Ex-Students Scholarship Association. Program for funeral: Reba Jane Bolton Russell May 25, 1919 April 17, 2008 A laugh, a smile, a stern reproach Where are the kids who earned them? They've all gone on to greater things Says the teacher who learned them For the saying goes by them who knows That each student's life endeavor Is product of and living proof. That a teacher is forever Celebration of Life and Memorial Friday, April 18, 2008 Honorary Pallbearers - Former Students Welcome - Joseph Russell Because He Lives - Ray Parker Reflections - Joseph Russell Reflections - Nathan Russell Sharing of Memories by Friends Reflections - Steve Russell You Are Mine - Nathan Russell Closing Prayer and Dismissal - Steve Russell
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Gene and I and our children offer our prayers and condolences to Reba's loved ones. She was a crackerjack math and Spanish teacher and I, Lou Brown, was privileged to know and work beside her for several years at HSHS. God grant her a peaceful rest.
The Pythagorean Theorem–Right triangles and cosines–Tangents and Slopes–Area of a Triangle–Exponents of Numbers–Factoring Numbers–The Area of a circle is Pi r squared, Pi r squared, Pi r squared. The Area of a circle is Pi r squared–No matter what! As a former struggling student, I am thankful and appreciative for your sincere dedication to teaching, your kindness, your character, and your patience. As a struggling student, I was thankful for your tendency to grade on the curve. Should we have more educators of your caliber today, I would worry less about the future of my grandchildren. Adis querida seora
Mrs. Russell was one of my favorite teachers when I was in school. If it hadn't of been for her helping me in Algebra I & II during my study hall, I probably never would have graduated. She was always so patient and so giving toward me and I will never forget her and her kindness toward a student who hit a huge wall when it came to Algebra and she helped me climb over it time and time again. God bless you, Mrs. Russell.
Mr and Mrs. Russell were an educational institution all to themselves. She was one of the few substitute teachers I experienced that was fully engaged while she was with you. I really thought she was something. She was.my best,Clinton Gandy
Steve,My prayers and sympathy are with you and your family.Class of 1969
Steve,She was a wonderful role model and led a full life.God's blessing on you and the family
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Steve, I send my condolences to you and your family for the loss of your Mother. I always enjoyed visiting with her in Longview when she and my Mother were at the same facility for a couple of years. She was also a wonderful role model for all of us growing up in Hughes Springs.
Dear Russell Family,We are so sorry to hear about your loss. Our prayer is that the Lord will just wrap His loving arms around and keep your hearts at peace.Nathan, we miss you so much!May God bless and keep you all!James and Judy Stephens
She made math interesting and Spanish fun. I always enjoyed her class and how she treated her students.
Steve and family, please accept my sincere condolences surrounding the loss of your mom. I still remember her watching us play baseball together as Hughes Springs Indians back in the 1960's at the old little league ball field. Both your mom and dad were a strong influence in my life, both as educators, mentors, and friends. Sincerely,David,Kitsy,Kyle, and Kelli Caperton
Mrs. Russell will always live in our hearts as a dedicated math teacher and Christian. She touched many lives on and off the Union Grove High School campus. I so glad we knew her personally…
Nathan and family,We send our heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. From your note to our church, we can tell that your grandmother has left a beautiful imprint on your heart and on this earth through her students. Our prayers for you and your family are sent with love.
Ms.Reba Russell was a beautiful person that I admired greatly. She was one of my favorite teachers. I thank God that He used her in many ways throughout her life and blessed her and her family. It was a privilege to have known her and been someone who past through her life while we are on our journey here. Now she is HOME. Steve, I am sorry for your loss and know that you will miss her very much. Hold on to the memories when the dark shadows of sorrow come upon you. I pray that NOW God will hold you close to HIM and wrap His comforting arms around you and fill you with HIS peace. Your friend, Sallee McCord
First Christian Church in Canyon is holding all of you in our thoughts and prayers. We pray that you may be surrounded by God's comfort and filled with his peace.
Steve & Rebecca,I am praying for you during this bittersweet time. What a joy to know that Reba is celebrating in the presence of the Lord. I pray that His grace will shine greater and sweeter than your sorrow now and in the days ahead.Grace & Blessings to you,Debbie Vanadore
Sending our love and blessings to you and your whole family. What an exceptionally wonderful woman, mother, teacher, cook!, and Child of God Reba Russell was!
She was a wonderful person to know. She will be missed.
Steve,I will never forget your mother. She was my teacher, my patient and my friend. I hope that you got to see the video that she and I did a few years ago when she was at The Beehive. She was a great lady with a passion for teaching others. God bless you and your family, I will never forget your Mom. Please tell Rebecca hello and call me sometime 903-746-3262.Linda
Steve & Becky, you're mother was an amazing woman, as you already know. She was my teacher and friend. I can still see her up in front of our math class, writing those algebra problems on the board, in her little high heels. She was always an inspiration to me, I'll never forget her. And I know two little women who are playing dominoes in Heaven right about now. Blessings