The family will receive visitors on February 14 from 5-7p.m. at Griggs, Schooler, Gordon Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held February 15 at 11:00 at St. Paul United Methodist Church with Pastor Bill Ivins officiating.
Ernest Russell was born April 16, 1925 in Panhandle, Texas to T.E. and Alma Mae Russell. He attended school in Panhandle and worked on the family farm. During WWII he served in the 9th Infantry Regiment of the 2nd Infantry Division in Central Europe. His citations include the Combat Infantry Badge, The American Theater Campaign Ribbon, the European, African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with three Bronze stars, the Good Conduct Medal, Marksmanship medal, one Overseas Service Bar, Purple Heart and Victory Ribbon. Following his discharge, he attended West Texas State College where he earned a degree in Business Administration.
Linda Mae Burba was born June 30, 1932 in Pampa, Texas to John L. and Lydia Mae Burba. Linda’s scrapbook contains many mementos which show the closeness she felt with her friends and older siblings. She attended school in Skellytown and White Deer, Texas and went on to study at West Texas State College. Linda’s sister introduced her to Ernest, and they were married March 3, 1951.
Ernest and Linda worked together in several ventures, including ownership of the White Deer Insurance Agency. They had two daughters; Karen and Nancy. In 1968, Ernest joined the Personnel office with the Veterans Administration and the family moved to Cleveland, Ohio. When Ernest joined the VA, Linda devoted her time to family and home. Linda enjoyed painting and crafts and loved to laugh, even once instructing her nurse that laughter was a key skill in a good nurse.
After several moves, Ernest returned to the Panhandle to work for Helium Operations as Chief, Section of Personnel. Ernest’s hobby of renovating houses became his new job when he retired in 1985. He had the vision to transform a ramshackle building into a home. Ernest and Linda spent their time on these renovations, reconnecting with their bridge club buddies, traveling by motor home and making frequent trips to Arizona and Colorado to see “the girls”. In addition to these endeavors, Linda was active as a volunteer for the Crisis hot line and their church.
The family has described Ernest as witty, kind, smart, rooted, devoted, loving, industrious, and humble and Linda as caring, loving, funny, creative, resourceful, kind, and gentle.
Ernest is preceded in death by his parents and his siblings Oliver Russell (Henrietta), Aubrey Russell and two infant sisters.
Linda is preceded in death by her parents, and her siblings Robert Burba, John L.Burba II (Robbie), Francis Price (John), Etta Sherburne (Jack) and Dee Burba (Tessie).
Survivors include their daughters and families: Karen Plummer (Dennis) of Amarillo and Nancy Chambers (Keith) of Lake City, Colorado; grandchildren Erik Mohn of Chandler, Arizona and Cara and Kayla Chambers of Lake City, Colorado, one sister, Erma (Russell) Knapp and husband Clayton of Amarillo and a sister-in law Mary Lou Russell of Panhandle as well as many cousins and nieces and nephews.
The family sends a special thank you to the loving caregivers at Brookdale Medipark West, Bivins Pointe and BSA Hospice of the Southwest. Family suggests memorials be made to BSA Hospice of the Southwest, St. Paul United Methodist Church or a favorite charity.
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