Clovis Ray Russell

Clovis Ray Russell, age 80, of Stephenville, formerly of West, passed away early Thursday morning, July 3, 2008. The family will receive visitors 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Aderhold Funeral Home in West. Graveside services will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Liberty Grove Cemetery near West, with Rev. Brad Moore officiating. Memorial services will be held 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the New Beginning's Christian Fellowship, 1735 W. South Loop in Stephenville. Mr. Russell was born on October 18, 1927 near West, the son of Clovis W. and Gertrue (Ray) Russell. He attended schools in West and graduated from West High School in 1944 prior to attending the University of Texas in Austin. Clovis served his country with the National Guard. On June 19, 1949 he was united in marriage to the mother of his three sons, Nelda Faye Bryant in Ben Arnold. She preceded him in death on April 21, 1966. Then on February 22, 1974 he was united in marriage to Blanche Pylant in Stephenville. Clovis was the owner and operator of Watkins Furniture in Stephenville for many years until his retirement in 1988. He was a compassionate and caring person as he volunteered as a Chaplain for several prisons including the Tarrant County Corrections Center. He was a member of Western Hills Baptist Church in Stephenville and Gideon's International. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge #475 in West and Lodge #267 in Stephenville. He is also preceded in death by a son, Bruce Bryant Russell; two brothers, Eldon Russell and Milton Russell; and one sister, Maurita Lueg. Survivors include his beloved wife of 34 years, Blanche Russell of Stephenville; two sons, Warren Russell of Lake Jackson and Neil Russell of Arcadia, CA; one brother, Gayle C. Russell of Glenn Heights; one sister, Naida (Russell) Goldsmith of Waco; five grandchildren, Aaron Russell and wife Kelly, Forrest Russell and wife Vikki, Brook Reppond and husband Kyle, Paul Russell, and Christene Jennings and husband Coby; nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Pallbearers are Neil Russell, Aaron Russell, Forrest Russell, Paul Russell, Coby Jennings, and Kyle Reppond. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Liberty Grove Cemetery, %Naida Goldsmith, Treasurer, 112 J.L. Brazzell Loop, Waco, TX 76705.