Russell Eugene Talbert

Russell was born on February 13, 1942, in Marion, Indiana, to Harold Everett and Margaret Pauline Boswell Talbert. At the age of seven, his family moved to Mission, Texas, where he spent the rest of his childhood and youth. He graduated from Mission High School, where he served as Editor of the Yearbook, excelled in track and football, and led as a Youth Leader in the Methodist Church. Known even then for his love of people and words, he was also a competitive debater and enthusiastic student of history.

Russell went on to earn his degree in History from Pan American College in Edinburg, Texas, where he was Editor of the Newspaper, and later completed a master’s degree in education from Texas A&I University in Kingsville.

It was during summer school at Texas A&I that Russell met the love of his life, Sandra Joye Fields, when the two shared a carpool. Russell famously flirted with her through the rearview mirror on the 115-mile drives to and from campus. Their friendship soon blossomed into love, and they married on April 15, 1965, at First Baptist Church of Pharr, Texas. This year, they celebrated 60 years of marriage—a union grounded in faith, laughter, and service to others.

In 1968, the couple moved to Deer Park, where Russell joined the faculty at Deer Park High School as a teacher of History, Government, and Economics. He was beloved by students for his charismatic and animated teaching style, and his classroom became a place where learning came alive. Ever dedicated to his family, Russell often worked multiple jobs—teaching by day, driving buses, building fences and decks, and pursuing his love of carpentry and woodworking.

Russell and Sandra quickly became devoted members of First Baptist Church of Deer Park, where they poured their hearts into decades of ministry. Russell served as a Deacon, Sunday School teacher, and nursery worker, rocking countless babies and mentoring generations of young people. He chaperoned countless youth trips, built benches at Trinity Pines, and volunteered with Texas Baptist Men Camp Builders and Disaster Relief, spending retirement years traveling with Sandra to build and repair church camps across Texas.

Those who knew Russell will remember his heart of service, his love of books, especially history, his quick wit, and his unshakable optimism, even through years of health challenges. He wore many “hats” in his lifetime—teacher, craftsman, servant, mentor, coach, husband, daddy, pawpaw, uncle, and friend—and in later years, those hats took on

special meaning as he wore them to cover scars following multiple radiation treatments and surgeries. Each one symbolized resilience, service, faith, and love.

Russell is survived by his devoted wife, Sandra Joye Fields Talbert; daughters Taryn Elyse Talbert Hext and Tiffany Elaine Talbert Bennett; grandchildren Bailey Elizabeth Hext Chwaliszewski (Jesse), Alyssa Morgan Bennett, Dalton Pierce Bennett (Amanda), and Hayden Michael Hext; nieces Karen McCallon Brown (Durwood) and Kristi McCallon; nephews Kevin McCallon (Erin) and Kelly McCallon (Tiffani); and a host of extended family and friends who loved him deeply.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold Everett and Margaret Pauline Boswell Talbert, and his in-laws, Amon Barcus and Willie Vernie Pierce Fields.

Russell’s life was a testament to his faith in God, his love for family, and his belief in serving others with joy. His legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched, the lessons he taught, and the laughter he shared.

“Thanks for the memories, Lord—for a life richly blessed.”— Russell Talbert, April 2025