Ruby Sybil Russell

Ruby Sybil Russell, 94, a longtime resident of Boyes Hot Springs went to be with her Lord and Savior on December 13, 2022.  She was born on September 19, 1928 in Pickensville, Alabama the second daughter of Ruby and Michael Cary Dillard.  Her husband of 74 years, Calvin Russell predeceased her in 2021.  

Sybil lived out her deep Christian faith in all that she said and did.  She enjoyed being a homemaker, mother, and wife; she was a truly kind person and always served those in her family, church and community.  She was a Deaconess at the Sonoma Alliance Church for many years.  She served as a Camp Fire Girls leader for many years.  Sybil baked cookies or meals to share with others who were having tough times.   

She and Calvin greatly enjoyed their years in the Adobe Squares dance club.  They traveled many places together with their club and Sybil sewed every one of her fancy dresses and her husband’s matching shirts. 

She and Calvin created an organic garden paradise at their Boyes Hot Springs home.  She loved to plant their crops, take care of the plants, harvest them and then preserve the fruits of their labors to enjoy in winter and share with friends and neighbors.  She loved persimmons!  She made a friendship with a neighbor who had a persimmon tree in their front yard.  She and family members picked, sliced, dehydrated and shared the finished product with the neighbors.  Her grandchildren particularly remember visiting and helping in the garden – especially with the green bean arbor that was several feet taller than them!

For over 50 years, Sybil and Calvin created their beloved cabin, “Russell’s Cedar Loft”, in Calaveras County.  It was a comfortable and roomy retreat with many family memories.  Sybil enjoyed swimming in the lake and taking walks around the Fly-In Acres.  She sewed all the drapes for the cabin, and learned upholstery so as to reupholster and update the cabin furniture. 

She is survived by her daughters: Juanita Couch (Durham NC) and Donna Russell (Salt Lake City UT and Sitka AK), grandchildren: Andrew Couch (Berlin, Germany), Steven Johnson (Sitka, AK), Edith Johnson (Sitka AK) and John Riley (Hooper UT) and greatgrandchildren: Addison Graham (Sitka AK) and Greyson Riley (Hooper UT). 

Her family is very grateful for the support and care from the staff at Cogir Senior Living; caregivers from Extended Family Services; Ms. Yvonne Salz, long time caregiver; Dr. Michael LaFemina from Kaiser Services of San Rafael; and the Sonoma Alliance Church.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at 1PM at Cogir Senior Living, 800 Oregon Street, Sonoma CA. 95476.  Please join us to share our love and memories of Sybil!

Memorial Contributions may be made to FISH – Friends In Sonoma Helping, PO Box 507, Sonoma, CA 95476

Sybil Russell has been interred with her husband at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, Dixon CA.

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