Eva Berniece Russell, age 85 of Neosho, Mo. passed away Sunday evening July 8, 2012 at her home following an illness.

Eva was born on May 24, 1927 in Joplin, Mo. the daughter of Marion and Essie Beatrice (Sours) Bennett. She has been a lifetime area resident, and worked as a server at Frank & Bonnie’s Chicken House in Tipton Ford, Mo., then in housekeeping at Freeman Hospital in Neosho for thirty-four years before retiring in 2002.

She married Charles E. Russell on August 17, 1946 in Columbus, Ks., he preceded her death on December 29, 1998. She is survived by four sons; Charley Russell of Neosho, Junior Russell and his wife Julie of Wichita, Ks., Tim Russell, Tom Russell and his wife Carrie, both of Neosho, three daughters; Dora Roberts and her husband Rod of Springfield, Mo., Marilyn Jackson and her husband Eddie of Pittsburg, Ks., Carolyn Allen and her husband Don of Neosho, one sister; Flossie Matthis of Joplin, twelve grandchildren; Ronnie Bowling, Jennifer Foster, Tandi Jackson, Vicki Jackson, Holly Dunham, Martin Russell, Phillip Russell, Bryan McDonald, Felesha McDonald, Lisa Allen, Melanie Mefford and Dillan Russell, and twenty-one great-grandchildren; Emily Foster, Dalton Foster, Lura Jackson, Noah Jackson, Kai Wilson, Gavin Grables, Lillian Grables, Lillian Grables, Cicilia Dunham, Aden Dunham, Avalyn Dunham, Eva Russell, Han Russell, Mei Russell, Brianna McDonald, Aubry McDonald, Aryren McDonald, Abagail Lipshield, Hailey Lipshield, Katlyn Lipshield, Ty Allen and Angela Allen. Eva was also preceded in death by her parents, one son, Gary Russell, one daughter, Vivian McDonald and one brother, Ray Bennett.

Funeral services have been scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Wednesday July 11, 2012 at the Mason-Woodard Chapel. Chaplain Jerry Seigel, will officiate. Burial will immediately follow at Osborne Memorial Cemetery in Joplin. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday evening from 6 to 7 p.m.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Chapel.