- Date Of Birth: January 18, 1933
- Date Of Death: December 7, 2021
- State: Indiana
A beloved mother is never forgotten.
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Barbara Stevens Russell Jewell of Farmersburg at the age of 88. Barbara was born in a small farmhouse just west of Farmersburg on January 18, 1933 to Lee and Thelma Stevens. She was the oldest of three children which included brother Bob (Trudy) Stevens and Nelda (Roy) Spears. She graduated from Farmersburg High School in 1951 and married her high school sweetheart, Nathan Russell, on June 15, 1951. From this loving relationship were born two children, daughter, JoAnn (Bryan) Woodsmall and son, Mike (Jennifer) Russell, eight grandchildren Justin (Linda) Russell, Taryn (Michael) Summers, Daniel Woodsmall, Michael (Lauren) Woodsmall, Laura (Huntington) Hardisty, Nathan Russell, Carrie (Caleb) Giffin, and Zane Woodsmall; twelve great grandchildren Kendal and Kade Summers; Calvin, Simon and Archie Russell; Remy and Gia Woodsmall; Hunt and Judah Hardisty; Jaylee and Katie Padgett; and Ryan Snow. After Nathan’s death Barbara married Doyle Jewell on August 4, 1984 and became a stepmother to Drew Jewell, Laura (Dale) Winkel and Valerie (Dean) Bushey.
Barbara was preceded in death by her husband Nathan Russell, her second husband, Doyle Jewell, stepson Drew Jewell, and her parents Lee & Thelma Stevens. Other survivors include sister-in-law Virginia Russell, several cousins, nieces, nephews, dear friends and her cat, Kitter.
As a school secretary for many years at Farmersburg Elementary and then at North Central High School, Barbara enjoyed the kids that surrounded her. She knew their names and their life stories and enjoyed talking with them whenever she saw them, even after they had graduated.
Her children would like to thank Doddie McClure and Daniel Woodsmall for their faithful help over the past two and a half years. Thanks also to Phyllis, Sarah, Katrina, Jennifer, Kim and
Teresa for their help over the past few months and to Angie of Hospice of the Wabash Valley. It is only with the help of all of these people that Barbara was able to continue living at home.
