Barbara DeAnn Russell

Visitation will be held Thursday, August 27, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 West in Columbia. Funeral services will be held at Missouri United Methodist Church 204 South 9th Street Columbia, MO. Friends and family may gather at the church from 10-11am, and the service will begin at 11am. The committal service will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery in Columbia.

Barb was born on November 7, 1940, in Osceola, Nebraska, to Laurence and Crystal Clark Bryan. Her family later moved to St. Edward, Nebraska, where she grew up on the family farm raising corn, cattle, and Appaloosa horses. She graduated from St. Edward High School in 1958 and went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln in the spring of 1962.

Soon after graduation, Barb married Thomas Russell on August 26, 1962. Together, they moved to Columbia, Missouri, where they built their life and raised their family.

After her children were in school, Barb continued her education and earned her nursing certification from Central Methodist University in Fayette, Missouri. She went on to enjoy a nursing career that spanned more than 20 years. During her career, she worked at Boone Hospital, Columbia Regional Hospital, and University Hospital, where she worked in critical cardiac care and assisted with cardiac care research. Her work as a nurse reflected her caring nature and desire to help others.

Barb was also a talented artist who loved painting and drawing. She enjoyed running, caring for her pets, and, most of all, spending time with her family and grandchildren. She was a longtime member of Missouri United Methodist Church and remained connected to her church until her health made attending difficult.

Barb is survived by her husband of nearly 64 years, Thomas Russell; her children, Annette Russell of Columbia, Missouri, and Larry (Kimberly) Russell of Rogers, Arkansas; her grandchildren, Lauren, Luke, and Logan Russell; her siblings, Bonnie Crystal of Sheridan, Oregon, Berlyn (Marj) Bryan of Grafton, West Virginia, and Blaine Bryan of Titusville, Florida; as well as many nieces and nephews, a loving extended family, and many dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her infant children, Cheryl, twin sister of her son Larry, and Bryan Russell; her sister-in-law, Rita Bryan; and her parents, Laurence and Crystal Bryan.

Barb will be remembered for her caring heart, her dedication to her family, her years of service as a nurse, and the love she shared with those around her. Her greatest joy was her family, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Memorial donations may be made in Barb’s memory to Missouri United Methodist Church 204 South 9th Street Columbia, MO 65201, or a Charity of your choice.

Condolences and fond memories can be shared at www.memorialfuneralhomeandcemetery.com