Norma Lou Russell, age 86, passed away peacefully at The Journey Home in Bartlesville, Oklahoma in the early morning hours of Tuesday, October 4, 2022. She was a lifelong resident of rural Caney, Kansas.
Norma was born on August 19, 1936, in Dewey, Oklahoma to Frank and Waneta (Fields) Rigdon. She was raised in Caney, Kansas where she attended local elementary schools and graduated from Caney Valley High School. She furthered her education at the Kansas Teachers College at Pittsburg where she earned her degree in teaching. Norma began teaching for the school in Tyro, Kansas with children ranging from kindergarten through 5th Grade as an Elementary School Teacher.
Norma fell in love with Joe Russell; the couple was married on December 19, 1959, at the Caney United Methodist Church. They made their home east of Caney.
Norma enjoyed being a teacher but soon found that she had a much greater calling. As their family grew, so too did the need for Norma to be available full-time as a mother, homemaker, wife, cook, farmer’s hand, and caregiver. She wouldn’t have traded it for anything in the world. Norma loved helping raise the children, tending to the home, and helping Joe when she could with farming and raising cattle. She especially loved when it was calving time.
Norma loved the Lord, she and Joe attended Caney United Methodist Church regularly. Norma helped with Bible Study and many of the church gatherings throughout the years. She would never hesitate to lend a helping hand. Her favorite time of year was spring. She also enjoyed quilting, crafts, shopping, and most of all she loved her family. She cherished the time she was able to surround herself with family (kids, grandkids, and g-grandkids) and friends.
Surviving to honor Norma’s memory are her children, Kristi Frisbee and husband, Bob of Girard, KS, Steven Russell and wife, Jana of Bartlesville, OK, Kimberly Russell and partner, Paula Wheatley of Caney, KS, and Kendra Grant and husband, Mark of Caney, KS, eight grandchildren, Bobby Frisbee and wife, Jennifer of Andover, KS, Melanie Berry and husband, Matt of Temecula, CA, Russell Frisbee and wife, Rachel of Choctaw, OK, Jonathan Russell and wife, Melanie of Bartlesville, OK, Matthew Russell and wife Allie, of Bartlesville, OK, Garrett Grant, Renee Grant, and Gage Grant all of Caney, KS; three great-grandchildren, her sister, Deloris Miller of Bentonville, AR, along with numerous extended relatives and close friends.
Norma was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Waneta Rigdon, husband, B.J. “Joe” Russell on October 1, 2017, three brothers, Dean, Keith, and Glenn Rigdon, and by her sister, Beverly Halligan.
Visitation will be held at David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville, Kansas on the evening of Sunday, October 9, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The family will be present to greet friends at the funeral home.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, October 10, 2022, at the Caney United Methodist Church in Caney, Kansas. Interment will follow at the Sunnyside Cemetery in Caney.
The family suggests memorial contributions can be made to The Journey Home; contributions may be left with the funeral home or mailed in care of David W. Barnes Funeral Home 306 N. Cline Rd. Coffeyville, KS 67337.
David W. Barnes Funeral Home of Coffeyville is in charge of arrangements. To leave a message for the family online, visit www.dwbfh.com
