Family and friends of Lois Russell, Age 89 of Ash Flat, AR will gather for a graveside service at Hersperger Cemetery in Cherokee Village, Arkansas on Friday, July 11, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. under the direction of Tri-County Funeral Home of Highland.
In lieu of flowers, her wishes are for donations to be made to the NICU at Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock or to the Fulton County Chapter of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Lois June Phelps Russell, 89, on July 6, 2025 at Ash Flat Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Ash Flat, Arkansas. Lois was born on October 20, 1935 to James “Jim” and Lizzie Mae Ray Phelps at Vaughn Farms in Fulton County, Arkansas.
Lois married Noel Leon “Buddy” Russell Jr. on October 25, 1956, and they were married for 39 years before his passing in 1995. Together they raised two children: Cynthia Jo “Cindy” Russell Higginbottom and James Steven “Steve” Russell.
Lois was a lifelong member of the church of Christ, worshipping with the Ward Street Church of Christ and, in her later years, the Hardy Church of Christ. She retired from the Highland School District and also worked for many years at Holden’s Hardware Store in Hardy, Arkansas.
Lois enjoyed researching her family history and writing short stories about her life. She also loved writing poetry and created a collection of dozens of poems that reflected her thoughts and family. Her favorite pastime was spending time with her family and watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jim and Lizzie; her husband, Buddy; her daughter, Cindy; her son, Steve; her great-grandson, Blake; two sisters, Ruth and Betty Jo; and her brother, Jack.
Survivors include her son-in-law, Bobby Higginbottom and daughter-in-law, Sandy Russell; five grandchildren: Jennifer (John) Lloyd of Mena, Arkansas, Mary Beth Higginbottom of Hardy, Alyssia (Stephen) Fisher of Highland, Arkansas, Logan (Lizzy) Russell of Jonesboro, Arkansas, and Carly Russell of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas; five great-grandchildren: Kaylee and Meadow Higginbottom, Lane and Leah Worthington, and Jaxon Fisher; brother-in-law, Bill Russell of Hardy; many nieces and nephews.
Her memory will be cherished by all who knew and loved her.
