Alvena Carol Russell, age 82, a resident of rural Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Sunday, November 20, 2022, at her home. She was born October 10, 1940, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of John J. Bloom, Jr. and Freda Hamlett Bloom. Carol graduated from Ft. Scott High School and went on to attend Arlington Bible College in Arlington, Texas. She married Robert L. Russell on April 22, 1962, at the Grace Baptist Tabernacle in Ft. Scott. Together they raised their three daughters, Laurie, Barbie, and Shelly. While the girls were younger, Carol served as a Campfire leader. Throughout her life, Carol worked in clerical and secretarial positions at various businesses including Wal-Mart, Ennis Business Forms, Great West Insurance Company, and the First Baptist Church; however, her main priority was taking care of her family. After her girls had grown, she owned and operated her own business, Brides, and Things, located in downtown Ft. Scott. Carol was a woman of faith and a long-time member of the Grace Baptist Tabernacle where she served as a Sunday school teacher. Carol was an accomplished writer and used her writing abilities to share her faith. She published several children’s books as well as inspirational articles. She was often asked to speak at area church functions, primarily ladies’ events. Carol will be remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.
Carol will be dearly missed by her husband, Bob, of the home; her three daughters, Laurie Center (Bill) of Lolo, Montana, Barbie Johnson of Ft. Scott and Sharon Michelle “Shelly” Allen (Brett) of Fountain, Colorado; her seven grandchildren, Grant Center, Lindsey LaRocque (Brandon), Katie, Kellie, and Keriann Johnson and Kylie and Zaine Allen; and her five great-grandchildren, Kelsie, Alexa, Carter, Hadley, and Lydia. Also surviving is a niece, Leita Kester. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Sharon Kester.
There was cremation. A celebration of life service will be held at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, December 17th at the Grace Baptist Tabernacle. Private burial will take place at the Centerville Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Grace Baptist Tabernacle and may be left in the care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701
