Laura Beth Hampton Russell

Laura Beth Hampton Russell, age 91, of Levita passed away Wednesday, May 22, 2013. Funeral services will be 2:00PM, Saturday, May 25, 2013 at Scott’s Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Ater Cemetery. Visitation will be 6:00 – 8:00PM, Friday, May 24, 2013 at the funeral home. Laura was born on April 12, 1922 and lived in the Ireland community where she graduated from Ireland High School in 1939. During her high school years, Laura played basketball and was named to the All-West Texas Basketball Team and to the Texas All-State Second Team. Laura married Paul Russell on August 19, 1942, prior to Paul being sent to the Pacific Theater during World War II. During the war years, Laura worked as a “Rosie the Riveter” at Consolidated Aircraft in Fort Worth. Following the war, Laura moved to Levita in 1946 where she was a housewife, briefly was a dental assistant, and a cook and cashier at Gatesville High School in the 1970’s. Laura was a member of the Levita Methodist Church and, subsequently, the Gatesville Methodist Church. Laura loved to cook and have her family around her, especially at holidays. Following retirement, Laura sang with the “Singing 60’s” and attended as many of the area’s Senior Citizen Dances as she could. She loved music, enjoying both gospel and country swing and frequently attended the Pearl Bluegrass Festival and Gatesville Jamboree. Additionally, she loved going to the Gatesville Ball Park, watching Ronnie and her grandchildren play softball. Laura lived at the Rocking Chair Ranch in Jonesboro since 2009. Laura was a devoted wife to Paul and a devoted mother to Jackie, Ronnie, and Jane. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Laura was preceded in death by her husband, Paul; her parents, Tom and Itasca Hampton; four brothers; and one sister. Laura is survived by her son, Jackie, and his wife, Barbara; son, Ronnie; daughter, Jane, and her husband, Alan Slemmons; eleven grandchildren, Tammi George Chumbley, Crista Russell, Don Alan Slemmons, Billy George, Amanda Russell Storrs, Jimbo Russell, Brooke Slemmons Jenkins, Jennifer Russell Lazarus, Whitney Russell, Carson Russell, and Mason Russell; eight great-grandchildren, Colton Russell, Joshua Chumbley, Lauren Chumbley, Courtney Russell, Emma George, Tyler George, Russell Jenkins, and Paige Jenkins; and numerous nieces and nephews. We want to express our appreciation for the love you have shown to Laura and the family. We want to thank her friends from Levita, Jonesboro, Ater, Gatesville, and Hamilton for their friendship throughout the years. Especially we want to thank the people at Rocking Chair Ranch and Odessey Hospice for the love and care of our mother. Memorials may be made to the Ater Cemetery, c/o Carmon Alexander, 605 CR 195, Jonesboro, TX 76538 or to a charity of your choice.