Barbara Ann Russell

Russell, Barbara A., 89, retired from the University of Kansas Medical Center, passed away Friday, August 2, 2024. She was born February 12, 1935 to Byron and Sally Ann “Sadie” (Ballentine) Bumpus in Amarillo, TX.

Barbara graduated high school in Amarillo, TX. She graduated with an Associate’s Degree from Amarillo College, a Bachelor’s Degree from Ottawa University in 1977, as well as a Master of Science Degree in Public Health from Kansas State University in 1984. She had a long and storied career in nursing and nursing administration for over 40 years. Her specialty was working with disabled children across the state. Barbara dedicated decades of her life to the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls (both locally and internationally) where she touched and influenced countless lives of young girls. She gladly volunteered for her home church, Asbury Church, in any way she could. She was a very busy volunteer in her retirement years. Barbara was an avid sports fan, specifically for the Wichita State Shocker’s basketball program and the Kansas City Chiefs. More than likely if you visited Barbara, you would find yourself watching ESPN or some other sports station. She also had a huge heart for animals. Her dogs and cats were her “kids” and received all the love she had. Barbara contributed to numerous charities and ministries. She had a true giving spirit, placing others’ needs above her own.

Barbara is preceded in death by her parents and her younger sister, Jane Austin. Survivors include her children, Debbie (Kevin) Marks, Kathy (Scott) Jewett, and Doug (Vanessa) Russell; grandchildren, Rochelle (Justin) Leep, Emily (Christine) Smith, and Alex (Kelsey) Smith; and great-granddaughters Jared Marks and Ivy Smith.

Memorial Service is 2:00 pm, Wednesday August 14, 2024, and 1:00pm for viewing at Asbury Church, 2807 W 15th St in Wichita Kansas 67203.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kansas Humane Society, 3313 N Hillside St, Wichita, KS 67219, https://kshumane.org.\