Russell named Beta Sigma Phi’s Woman of the Year

NEW MADRID, Mo. — For almost 50 years, the members of the New Madrid Beta Sigma Phi have sought to honor a local woman who lives a life focused on the community. This year’s 2024 Beta Sigma Phi Woman of the year fits that description to a “T” everyone agreed.

Debbie Russell was honored in a special ceremony April 3 at the New Madrid Baptist Church’s Family Living Center.

In introducing this year’s honoree, Beta Sigma Phi member Jessica Hunter described Russell as having “a true servant’s heart. She supports church members and other friends in our community whenever there is a need, be it a ride to the airport or a doctor’s appointment or a visit at home or in the hospital. To talk and to encounter Debbie is to see a true openness of spirit and positivity.”

A large group of family and friends joined the members of Beta Sigma Phi in honoring Debbie Russell as the 2024 Woman of the Year. Pictured front row are Leslie Russell Sutton, Ellie Russell and J.J. Russell, and back row, Jim Russell, Debbie Russell, Theo Russell being held by his father, Jamie and Halley Russell.(Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

A large group of family and friends joined the members of Beta Sigma Phi in honoring Debbie Russell as the 2024 Woman of the Year. Pictured front row are Leslie Russell Sutton, Ellie Russell and J.J. Russell, and back row, Jim Russell, Debbie Russell, Theo Russell being held by his father, Jamie and Halley Russell.(Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

For over 35 years, Russell taught history and English and worked as a librarian for both the East Prairie School District and the New Madrid County R-1 School District. Following her retirement, Russell returned to the classroom as a long-term substitute teacher for the Charleston School District.

In addition to volunteering at the local food pantry, Hunter noted Russell is constantly on the lookout for deals and regularly buys needed items for students and those in the local nursing home. Also Russell is a long-time member of the New Madrid Baptist Church, where she has served as a choir director, a Sunday school teacher and a youth leader and led a nursing home visitation program.

Hunter added Russell is an avid supporter of the arts who rarely misses a Sikeston Little Theatre production. Also she attends and supports the high school’s band, choir and theatre events.

Russell and her husband, Jim, are the parents of a son, Jamie (Halley) Russell, and a daughter, Leslie Russell Sutton. They have five grandchildren, Ellie, J.J. and Theo Russell and Sam and Will Sutton.

In accepting the honor, Russell praised the members of Beta Sigma Phi for their service over the years to the community. She added it also has made her feel like she needs to do more for others.

“God has given each of us a purpose, a set of talents and abilities to do his will within our families, our churches and our communities. We each do this in different fashions, some individually and some in organizations like our churches or Beta Sigma Phi,” Russell said. “I want to thank you again for this lovely celebration. I want to thank God for bringing me to New Madrid and I want to thank those who came to wish me well tonight -- my family, my friends and my church family. Each of you make my life sweeter. I am blessed.”