Joyce Russell To Turn 90 On June 21st

By Staff, 06/14/20 10:07 PM

Well-known and beloved Hempstead County citizen Joyce Russell will turn 90 years old on June 21st.  When asked about any advice for reaching this milestone age in such good shape, Mrs. Russell said “I didn’t do anything I didn’t want to do!”.

Mrs. Russell was born in Hempstead County and spent her early years in Spring Hill where she completed the 3rd grade.  She moved to the 4th grade when the family moved to Patmos.  After the sawmill where her father worked in Patmos burned, Mrs. Russell moved to Hope where she graduated high school.  There she met her husband Jamie Russell and they were married for 64 years.

A career came her way due to the help of an uncle, Early Archer.  He helped Mrs. Russell go to work for the the telephone company which was then located on the second floor of the Foster’s Shoes building.  She credits the help of Alice Kate Baker with her training at the phone company.  Later, after her first daughter was born, Mrs. Russell worked the overnight shift.  During her career she helped train such local residents as Pat Chambless and Cherry Stewart.  Mrs. Russell also worked in the “kraft” department of the phone company and also worked in Hot Springs before she retired in 1984.

Mrs. Russell is active at First United Methodist Church and also enjoys her family.  She’s also known for her homemade cakes which often bring big money at local charity auctions.

When we went out to get a picture, we got four generations at once with Mrs. Russell’s daughter, granddaughter, great grandson, and even a “granddog” thrown in for good measure!  We wish the happiest of birthdays to a most delightful Hempstead County resident Mrs. Joyce Russell!