Celebrating the life of
Barbara Hines Russell
September 11, 1947 - September 25, 2015
Barbara Hines Russell
Barbara Russell died peacefully at home on September 25, 2015. She was born in Savannah on Sept. 11, 1947, and was the daughter of Hugh Jenkins and Bettie (Cubbedge) Jenkins. Barbara grew up on Wilmington Island and attended Savannah High School. She graduated from Agnes Scott College in 1968.
Barbara married Dr. Preston Russell in Savannah in 1994. She was co-author with her husband of Savannah: A History of Her People since 1733.Socially she was a member of The Georgia Society of Colonial Dames, The Savannah Cotillion Club, The Oglethorpe Club, and The Garden Club of Savannah.
Barbara enjoyed international travel, including many trips to England and France to visit close friends. She has visited Italy, Sicily, Greece, Crete, Malta, Israel, Jordan, Turkey, Gallipoli, Timbuktu, Mali, Machu Picchu, Peru, Easter Island, and Kathmandu, Nepal. On several Africa trips, she enjoyed photographing wild animals, especially elephants and giraffes. Barbara caught pneumonia after a white-water misadventure on the Zambezi River. Among her perilous adventures in South America, Barbara made a primitive small boat trip down the Amazon River and was shot by a blowgun, eating piranha fish as a regular diet. As an honored guest, she also shared a native communal brew collectively made from Indian tribe chewed spittle. Barbara later climbed K-2, the second highest mountain in the Himalayas. She was also was an avid reader, often reading five books a week, preferring English murder mysteries.
Barbara is survived by her husband, Preston Russell, and her sister Nancy Emmerson. Also survived are English Godchildren, Georgia (Warren) Davis and Rupert Warren, whose parents are her close friends Sandra and Frank Warren in Buckinghamshire, England. Two step-children survive daughter Lindsay Boyce Russell, and son Alexander Preston Russell Jr. Lindsay is married to George Reavis in Charleston, South Carolina, with twin girl and boy, Isabel and Calder. Alexander Preston Russell Jr. lives in Atlanta and is married to Mi Young Russell, with three sons, Grant, James, and Andrew.
Also surviving are two nieces in Savannah, Megan Graham Schoeffler, married to Bryan Schoeffler, and Katherine Graham Schubert, married to Michael Schubert, together having five grand-nieces and nephews. Also included are two cousins, Lydia Cheshire, married to Stephen Cheshire, and John Phillips of Savannah. Lastly she is also survived by her beloved 100 pound mastiff dog named Abercorn, who slept by Barbara’s side until the end.
Graveside funeral service will be held at Bonaventure Cemetery at 12 noon on Tuesday, September 29th. A reception at the Savannah Oglethorpe Club will follow.
Donations to Barbara’s memory are requested to the Telfair Academy of Art, phone (912)790-8866, or the Senior Learning Center of Savannah, 3025 Bull St. 31405, phone 912-236-0363 ext. 145.
Preston, I've just learned of this sad event. Please know that I'm thinking of you and am so sorry for your loss.
- Chris Johnson, Savannah, GA
Barbara's warmth, intelligence, humor, kindness, and love of life were gifts to all lucky enough to spend time with her. Preston, our hearts go out to you and your family.
- Donna Passmore and Jan Smulcer, Houston, TX
Preston, so sorry for your loss. Karen and I wish you God's care, love, and healing.
- Jack Wray, Savannah, GA
Preston: Please accept our condolences on this difficult event in your life. As friends of both of you from well into the last century, we can perceive of the difficulties both of you have experienced. This is particularly personal given our conversation Thursday evening. Let us know when you desire our getting together. Your true friend and sports activist, Stan
- Peggy and Stan Harris, Savannah, GA
Preston, my sincere condolences. Barbara was a wonderful, caring and loving person.
- Betty Ann Brooks, Savannah, ga
Preston, my sincere condolences. Barbara was a wonderful, caring and loving person.
- Betty Ann Brooks, Savannah, ga
So sorry that such a kind, caring, adventurous lady has left us here. She was always friendly and fun to talk to about her adventures. God bless her and all who will miss her! Sincerely...Julie McIntosh
- Julie McIntosh, Savannah, Ga
Preston, Natalie and I are so glad to have known Barbara. What a wonderful woman and life. Please accept our deepest sympathy.
- Rob and Natalie Bayless, Savannah, GA
Our condolences and prayers are with the family. God's peace now and always.
- B. Byrd family , Savannah , GA
With sincerest condolences to the whole family at this difficult time. I'm very lucky to have met Barbara and will always remember her warmth, hospitality and humour. Much love, Andy xx
- Andrew Davis, Monks Risborough, UK
You are greatly missed. Rest in peace, Barbara.
- Branden S. Hunter, MD, Savannah, GA
Preston, I am so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful, brilliant woman was Barbara. I don't know how happenstance led me to finding out. I fell upon a listing of your beautiful paintings and wanted to find out about Barbara. It's been since 1988 or so since I've seen you both.....myself living in Chicago, and then Africa & Asia for over 12 years. I am so sorry. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Bonnie Brickell Welch
- Bonnie Brickell Welch, Newington, NH
Dear Preston, Nancy, and family, I cannot express the depth of my sorrow at Barbara's death so I can barely imagine how devastated you must be by your great loss. Please be assured that you are constantly in my thoughts and prayers. And, I plan to be at the service on Tuesday to offer support to you and to say "goodbye" to our girl. With love, Judy Holland, ASC Class of '68
- Judy Holland, Midlothian, VA
Preston, I've just learned of this sad event. Please know that I'm thinking of you and am so sorry for your loss.
- Chris Johnson, Savannah, GA
Barbara's warmth, intelligence, humor, kindness, and love of life were gifts to all lucky enough to spend time with her. Preston, our hearts go out to you and your family.
- Donna Passmore and Jan Smulcer, Houston, TX
Preston, so sorry for your loss. Karen and I wish you God's care, love, and healing.
- Jack Wray, Savannah, GA
Preston: Please accept our condolences on this difficult event in your life. As friends of both of you from well into the last century, we can perceive of the difficulties both of you have experienced. This is particularly personal given our conversation Thursday evening. Let us know when you desire our getting together. Your true friend and sports activist, Stan
- Peggy and Stan Harris, Savannah, GA
Preston, my sincere condolences. Barbara was a wonderful, caring and loving person.
- Betty Ann Brooks, Savannah, ga
Preston, my sincere condolences. Barbara was a wonderful, caring and loving person.
- Betty Ann Brooks, Savannah, ga
So sorry that such a kind, caring, adventurous lady has left us here. She was always friendly and fun to talk to about her adventures. God bless her and all who will miss her! Sincerely...Julie McIntosh
- Julie McIntosh, Savannah, Ga
Preston, Natalie and I are so glad to have known Barbara. What a wonderful woman and life. Please accept our deepest sympathy.
- Rob and Natalie Bayless, Savannah, GA
Our condolences and prayers are with the family. God's peace now and always.
- B. Byrd family , Savannah , GA
With sincerest condolences to the whole family at this difficult time. I'm very lucky to have met Barbara and will always remember her warmth, hospitality and humour. Much love, Andy xx
- Andrew Davis, Monks Risborough, UK
You are greatly missed. Rest in peace, Barbara.
- Branden S. Hunter, MD, Savannah, GA
Preston, I am so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful, brilliant woman was Barbara. I don't know how happenstance led me to finding out. I fell upon a listing of your beautiful paintings and wanted to find out about Barbara. It's been since 1988 or so since I've seen you both.....myself living in Chicago, and then Africa & Asia for over 12 years. I am so sorry. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Bonnie Brickell Welch
- Bonnie Brickell Welch, Newington, NH
Dear Preston, Nancy, and family, I cannot express the depth of my sorrow at Barbara's death so I can barely imagine how devastated you must be by your great loss. Please be assured that you are constantly in my thoughts and prayers. And, I plan to be at the service on Tuesday to offer support to you and to say "goodbye" to our girl. With love, Judy Holland, ASC Class of '68
- Judy Holland, Midlothian, VA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
