Beulah Louise Russell

Beulah Louise Russell, 85, lifelong La Junta resident passed away on February 13, 2017 at the Pioneer Health Care Center in Rocky Ford surrounded by her family. She was born on May 7, 1931 in La Junta to Lawrence & Hattie (Pugh) Minniear. She married Virgil “Russell” Russell on February 16, 1949; he preceded her in death.

She attended school in La Junta and graduated with the class of 1949, a standout in basketball and softball. She was the youngest of four children and was preceded in death by all three. Together she and Virgil started Russell’s Action in about 1961and Beulah continued running the business for many years after Virgil passed away. Shen then started a daycare and cared for countless children until she retired in 1996. She graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from OJC when she was 61. She had been a Girl Scout leader for seven years and a member of the Church of Christ in 1978. Beulah was very active in PTA at East School. She was also on the Democrat Precinct Committee Women for 12 years.

She is survived by her daughters, Penny (Chris) Graham of Fort Worth, TX and Wendy (Willy) Patterson of La Junta; five grandchildren, Amber (Wray) Grier and Amy (Jonathon) Bartee all of Fort Worth, TX; Daniel (Nikki) Patterson of Littleton, CO; Matthew (Mary) Patterson of Pueblo West; and Sarah (Carlos Aragon, Jr.) Patterson of La Junta; 11 great-grandchildren also survive. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Virgil Russell; sisters, Velma Foster and Edith Harrison; brother, Robert Minniear and grandson, Joshua Patterson.

Funeral service will be Friday, February 24, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. at Church of Christ. Interment will follow at the Fairview Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. prior to services at the Church of Christ.

Those wishing to do so may make memorial contributions may be made to the Church of Christ, 921 Cimarron Avenue, La Junta, CO 81050 direct or through the funeral home.

Online condolences may be made at www.PeacockFH.com. Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.