Beatrice L. Russell

Beatrice L. "Bea" Russell Bellevue Beatrice L. "Bea" Russell, age 94, of Bellevue, died September 27, 2008 at her daughter's home. She was born June 3, 1914, in Ann Arbor, the daughter of Freeman and Elsie (Cook) Samson. Beatrice graduated from Mendon High School in 1932 and was active in the Mendon Girl Scouts and United Methodist Church. She married Lawrence K. Russell of Schoolcraft in November of 1933. They moved to Bellevue and she has lived in the same house for 75 years. Beatrice is survived by children, Joyce Russell of Bellevue and James (Jim) Russell of Sioux Falls, S.D., special friends, sisters-in-law, Mildred Russell of Mendon and Betty Harrison of Bellevue. She also leaves many nieces, nephews, cousins and her kind friends from Bellevue Christian Center and Bellevue United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband Lawrence, brothers, Floyd, Freeman, and Forrest Samson and a sister, Maxine (Samson) Mitchell. Bea recently received the Golden Cane Award from the Bellevue Lion's Club because she was the oldest female in the Village of Bellevue. She also was the oldest member of the congregation of Bellevue Christian Center (formerly Bellevue Assembly of God). She attended for 69 years. She helped with the Sunday School, belonged to The Women's Missionary Society and served on the Kitchen Committee for 35 years. Bea loved flowers. She loved to grow and arrange them into bouquets and centerpieces. She loved pretty things and had an artistic eye. Her house was always decorated at holiday times. She was also proud of her vegetable garden. Bea was an excellent housekeeper. She kept the homes of many Bellevue residents clean and organized. Bea had a twinkle in her eye and a smile that warmed the hearts of her friends. She will be missed. The family will receive friends from 4 until 7:00 p.m. Thursday, October 2, 2008 at Shaw Funeral Home, Lehman Chapel, Bellevue. Funeral services will take place 2:00 p.m. Friday, October 3, 2008 at Bellevue Christian Center with Pastor Danesh Manik officiating. Interment, Riverside Cemetery, Bellevue. Memorials may go to Bellevue Christian Center or Bellevue Scholarship Fund. The family is being served by Shaw Funeral Home, Lehman Chapel, Bellevue. www.shawfuneralhome. com