Elizabeth "Betsy" Howard Russell

Elizabeth (Betsy) Howard Russell died peacefully in her sleep in her home in Asheville, NC at the age of 84 after a long struggle with Parkinson’s disease. She is survived by her husband, the Rev. Dr. Rollin O. Russell, her children and their spouses, Bethany Baker (Joseph), Amy Russell (Michael Finch), and Stephen Russell (Scott Neeley), Joseph Hilliard (Lucy), as well as her five grandchildren: Margit Briggs (Jordan Samuels), Austin Baker (Savannah), Ryan Neeley Russell, Emma Finch and Benjamin Finch. Betsy Russell was born in Mobile, Alabama, where she graduated from Murphy High School. She received a full scholarship and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Vanderbilt University with a major in English. While at Vanderbilt, she appeared in the play, The Lady’s Not for Burning, and met her future husband, Rollin Russell, who took her on their first date to a Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. speech. Betsy later completed her master's degree in French at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, TX. She taught AP English and French at Round Rock High School in Texas and at Williams High School in Burlington, North Carolina. She was a professor of English for 2 years at Elon University. Other notable contributions were that she was the Field Director on the Texas State Campaign for Jimmy Carter’s presidential election and helped him win the state of Texas. She was a founding board member in the establishment of the Women's Resource Center in Burlington, North Carolina. Betsy served on the Alamance County Women's Political Caucus, and she was the Data Manager for the Orange County Election Precinct.She served as president of the board of directors of Allied Churches of Alamance County, providing meals, shelter, and resources for the homeless and abuse victims. Those who knew her best are thankful for her kindness, compassion, and hospitality, her excellence in teaching, and her fierce commitment to integrity, equality, and justice. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held on her 85th birthday, Saturday, October 11, at 1:30pm at First Congregational United Church of Christ of Asheville, NC. In lieu of flowers or gifts, we ask that donations be made in memory of Betsy Russell to the Women’s Resource Center in Alamance County (https://wrcac.org/) or to First Congregational United Church of Christ of Asheville (https://uccasheville.org).

Tributes

Elizabeth "Betsy" Howard Russell

October 11, 1940 - September 21, 2025