Frances Lillian Russell

Frances Russell (Boots Bode) was escorted into Heaven by her late husband Kenneth early Sunday morning March 8. 2015. July 26th would have been their 73rd anniversary, but Kenneth passed on 11/30/2011.Frances was a hill country gal born on the Pocahontas Ranch near Hunt, Texas 09/14/1921. She was born to Samuel W. Bode and Evelyn Wiley Bode. They moved to San Antonio where she attended Hot Wells School and graduated in 1939 from Harlandale High School. After her two sons Reginald W. Russell and Kenneth D. Russell were in school, she went back to school and was a founding member of the G.O.A.L. Club (Go On And Learn Club) at San Antonio College. She got her Bachelor of Science Degree from Trinity University and then taught 3rd and 5th grade science and art at Forbes Elementary School for 21 years. She was an accomplished artist and before she went back to college she taught art in her own art studio, she painted many landscapes and portraits in oil. She and Kenneth were married in and were lifelong members of Crestholme Presbyterian Church where she was a Sunday school teacher and later a church officer. She also helped design the current sanctuary building. Later in life she and Kenneth enjoyed being members of a senior bowling league and dancing at the Martinez Social Club. She enjoyed writing and composed many poems for special occasions. Frances really enjoyed her two Bunco clubs and rolling those sixes. Besides her two sons and their spouses Jan and Beth she is survived by her four grandchildren, Rachelle (Glen), Greg (Courtney), Robert (Roxy) and April (Jon) and her great granddaughter Kahlan. She is also survived by nieces, nephews, friends and former students.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Sunday March 15th at Sunset Funeral Home 1701 Austin Highway. Graveside service will be at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery Monday March 16th at 10:00. A Celebration of Life Service will be 12:00 at Alamo United Methodist church 4071 N. Foster Road. The services will be officiated by Reverend George Chambers and Virgil Peterson. Flowers will be nice and so will donations to the church or the American Cancer Society.

Special thanks go to Erica Martinez and the staff at Hands of Hope Residential Home and Grace Hospice.