Betty Russell

Betty Lou Bakyr Russell, 82, loving daughter, wife, mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully at her home at Bickford House in Raytown, MO on July 29, 2011. Services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, August 5, 2011 at the Speaks Suburban Chapel 18020 E. 39th St., Independence, MO 64055. Entombment will follow in Mt. Moriah Cemetery Mausoleum. The family will greet friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday evening at the chapel. Betty was born on August 13, 1928 in Guilford, MO to Bessie and Joseph M. Bakyr. Betty was the second of three children; she had an older brother, Byron and a younger sister, JoAnn. When Betty was 18 months old, her family moved from Guilford, MO to Stanberry, MO where she spent most of her life, with exception of her college years. She graduated from Stanberry High School in 1946, attended college at the Greenbrier School for girls in Lewisburg, West Virginia and Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, MO, receiving a degree in both Music and Drama. She is a member of the national sorority, Sigma Sigma Sigma. During her college years at NWSU, Betty, a lyric soprano, performed the lead role of Santusa in the opera Cavalliera Rusticana accompanied by the Kansas City Philharmonic Orchestra. All through her college years, she was very involved in all musical activities and performances at Greenbrier and NWSU; many being chosen as lead performer. Mrs. Russell served as the state music chairman for the Missouri Federation of Women’s Club conducting numerous high school music contests, and in many instances, serving as a judge throughout the state of Missouri. Mrs. Russell auditioned in 1950 for and became a professional performing artist with the Fortnightly Musical Club, the oldest musical club west of the Mississippi River. She was active with the musical club for over 30 years, serving as a performer and in numerous officer positions with the club. She also performed professionally with the Kansas City Musical Club for a number of years. Mrs. Russell was a music professor with the Church of God seminary, teaching both piano and voice for 15 years. In addition, she taught 48 students privately in both piano and voice. Betty was an active member of the Kansas City Opera Workshop that was affiliated with the UMKC Conservatory of Music, performing in various communities including Kansas City, St. Joseph, and Northwest Missouri. Mrs. Russell also served as church soloist for 35 years in Maryville and St. Joseph, MO. In addition to her varied musical accomplishments, talents, and service, Mrs. Russell was a member of the Hunter Chapter Order of the Eastern Star, the Optimist Club, and a member of the Mutual Improvement Club in Stanberry, MO, the oldest club in Stanberry. She was also a member of the Fidelis Study Club of the Missouri Federation of Women’s Clubs for 25 years serving as President and as First District Music Chairman for 10 years. Betty was also a charter member of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority located in Stanberry, MO. She was a member of the First Church of Christian Science of St. Joseph, MO and The Mother Church, the First Church of Christian Science, Boston, MA. Mrs. Russell was preceded in death in 2004 by her husband of 57 years, Jack B. Russell; her parents, Joseph and Bessie Bakyr; her sister JoAnn Meek; and brother, Byron Bakyr. She is survived by her loving daughter, Roxanne and husband Dr. Kevin Hubbard of Lee’s Summit and her very special one and only grandson, James Brenton Hubbard and his newlywed wife, Kelsey Lawrence Hubbard of Kansas City, MO. She was especially excited to witness their marital union last September. She is also survived by her nieces: Cynthia Szymczyk, and husband Artie of Houston TX, Corinne Heggli, Los Angeles, CA; and nephews, Bryan Bakyr Meek and wife Flossie of Port St. Lucie, FL; and John Gavin Meek and fiancé, Tawni Bowman of Pleasant Hill, MO. The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation for the excellent care provided to Mrs. Russell by the staff at Bickford House and Crossroads Hospice. Family represented the heart of her life, showing her love in a variety of ways. In later years, she had the pleasure of enjoying many friendships made at the Bickford House. Her loss has left a whole in the heart of her family and friends that no one can fill. Her genuine and giving spirit demonstrated the rich legacy of her life. As daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and aunt, she lived a life right up to the end faithfully serving and unconditionally loving her family. She will be sadly and eternally loved.