SHOW ME - Johnson County - West Central Missouri History: Remembering Sandy Morris Russell

July 8, 2013

Remembering Sandy Morris Russell - Mother to Beth, Randy and Rob Russell

Sandy was Warrensburg's greatest ambassador and will be greatly missed. Her funeral was estimated to be the largest ever held in Warrensburg and certainly at the First Christian Church. There was not a parking space for blocks around the church for Sandy's service.
Kansas City Star Obituary

Sandy Russell, 71, of Warrensburg, died suddenly of a brain aneurysm July 5 in Colorado. She was an organ donor.

Memorial services were held 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 10, 2013 at the First Christian Church of Warrensburg, with Pastor Jerry Basye officiating. A celebration and reception followed at the Russell Farm, 255 S.E. 600 Road in Warrensburg.

Sandy was born Dec. 15, 1941, in Liberty, Mo., to Arthur “Bud” and Henrietta Morris. A graduate of the University of Missouri, she and Bob, her husband of nearly 50 years, resided in Warrensburg for the past 45 years.

A model in Kansas City, she was princess of the 1957 Kansas City Auto Show and, as a Tri Delta at the University of Missouri, she was named one of Glamour Magazine’s “Top Ten Best Dressed Women” in 1962.

Much more than just a pretty face, Sandy had a fine mind and believed that women could achieve anything. After marrying Bob, Sandy taught first grade in Kansas City before having children. She then taught art in the Knob Noster public schools before becoming a successful and real estate agent and developer. She sat on the board of First Central Bank. In the last several years, she pursued a lifelong dream of owning cattle and created the Bucket List Cattle Company.

Always one to make the world around her a better place, Sandy was an active member of the Warrensburg community. Sandy was a member of the school board in the 1970s, a board member of the UCM Foundation, a board member of the Chamber of Commerce, chairman of Military Affairs and past president of the Whiteman Air Force Base Community Council and civilian air boss of the air show at Whiteman for the past 25 years.

Highly artistic and musically inclined, Sandy was a sculptor and stained glass artist and enjoyed knitting, needlepoint and crochet. In the 1970s, she and five of her friends formed a band called “The Girls” and played many gigs around Warrensburg with Sandy as guitarist and back-up singer. She decided at 50 to learn to play the piano and though not a virtuoso, could still play well enough for others to sing along.

Sandy was known for a keen sense of humor and an incredible sense of adventure that likely was sparked by her participation in 1962 in the first People-to-People program to Berlin. Not only did she get her pilot’s license and run a marathon, she jumped out of a plane, whitewater rafted through Ecuador, traveled solo through China and caught a 300-pound-marlin while deep-sea fishing to name a few of her many accomplishments. Always up for a thrill, she was hot-air ballooning and hiking Fish Creek Falls in Steamboat Springs, Colo., the day before she collapsed.

Sandy was best known, however, as a wonderful cook and entertainer. Her cinnamon rolls will be remembered by all that tasted them. Her favorite activities were baking cookies with her four beloved grandchildren, the horse and livestock shows at the American Royal, her annual trip with the Ladies of the Lake, anything Native American, cheering on the Mules and Jennies sports teams and attending to her cows.

Her greatest love was undoubtedly her family. The most devoted wife, mother and grandmother, her family always came first. In addition to her husband, Bob, she leaves behind her son, Rob, and wife, Kelly, of Sedalia, Mo.; her son, Randy, and companion, Ann Bailey, of Warrensburg; and her daughter, Beth, of Jupiter, Fla. Additionally, she leaves behind four grandchildren, Carly, Ryan, Andrew and Nick; a daughter-in-law, Kelly; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death are her mother, Henrietta Morris; her father, Arthur Allen Morris; her brother, Arthur Allen Morris Jr.; her son-in-law, Geoffrey Neuhoff; and her niece, Becky.

In lieu of flowers, send donations to: Show-Me Christian Youth Home, PO Box 6, Lamonte, MO 65337 or The Harvesters, www.harvesters.org or by calling 816-929-3000. Donations may be left in care of the Sweeney-Phillips and Holdren Funeral Home.

Sandy was one the most beautiful, personable, energetic souls that Warrensburg ever had as a citizen. Our prayers and thoughts go out to Bob, the children, grandchildren and all of Sandy's extended family and friends everywhere. I am glad to have seen her in September when visiting the Burg. Our condolences to all of Sandy's connections and to the community.. Classes of 73.

SANDY RUSSELL

A much loved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend, Sandy Russell, 71, of Warrensburg, died suddenly of a brain aneurysm July 5, 2013 in Colorado. She was born December 15, 1941 in Liberty, Missouri, to Arthur 'Bud' and Henrietta Morris. A graduate of the University of Missouri, she and Bob, her husband of nearly fifty years, resided in Warrensburg for the past forty-five. With her ice blue eyes and movie- star smile, it's no stretch to imagine that in her youth, Sandy was a true beauty queen. A model in Kansas City, she was Princess of the 1957 Kansas City Auto Show and as a Tri Delta at the University of Missouri was named one of Glamour Magazine's 'Top Ten Best Dressed Women' in 1962. Much more than just a pretty face, Sandy had a fine mind and believed that women could achieve anything. After marrying Bob, Sandy taught first grade in Kansas City before having children. She then taught art in the Knob Noster public schools before becoming a successful realtor and real estate developer. She sat on the Board of First Central Bank. In the last several years, she pursued a life long dream of owning cattle and created the Bucket List Cattle Company. Always one to make the world around her a better place, Sandy was an active member of the Warrensburg Community. Sandy was a member of the School Board in the 1970s, a Board Member of the UCM Foundation, a Board Member of the Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of Military Affairs and Past President of the Whiteman Air Force Base Community Council and Civilian Air Boss of the Air Show at Whiteman for the past twenty-five years. Highly artistic and musically inclined, Sandy was a sculptress, stained glass artist, knitter, needlepointer and crocheter. Essentially, there was nothing she could not achieve when she put her mind to it. In the 1970s she and five of her friends formed a band called "The Girls' and played many gigs around Warrensburg with Sandy as guitarist and back-up singer. She decided at fifty to learn to play the piano and though not a virtuoso, could still play well enough for others to sing along. Sandy was known for a keen sense of humor and an incredible sense of adventure that likely was sparked by her participation in 1962 in the first People-to-People program to Berlin. Not only did she get her pilot's license and run a marathon before it was cool to do so, she jumped out of a plane, white water rafted through Ecuador, traveled solo through China and caught a 300-pound marlin while deep-sea fishing to name a few of her many accomplishments. Always up for a thrill, she was hot-air ballooning and hiking Fish Creek Falls in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, the day before she collapsed. Sandy was best known, however, as a wonderful cook and entertainer. Her cinnamon rolls will be remembered by all that tasted them. Her favorite activities were baking cookies with her four beloved grandchildren, the horse and livestock shows at the American Royal, her annual trip with the Ladies of the Lake, anything Native American, cheering on the Mules and Jennies and attending to her very spoiled cows. Her greatest love was undoubtedly her family. The most devoted wife, mother and grandmother, her family always came first. In addition to her husband Bob, she leaves behind her three favorite people: her son Rob and wife Kelly, of Sedalia, her son Randy and companion Ann Bailey of Warrensburg, and her daughter Beth of Jupiter, Florida. Additionally she leaves behind four beloved grandchildren: Carly, Ryan, Andrew and Nick; a daughter-in-law, Kelly; three grand-dogs and many wonderful nieces and nephews. Predeceasing her are her mother Henrietta Morris, her father Arthur Allen Morris, her brother Arthur Allen Morris, Jr., her son-in-law Geoffrey Neuhoff, her niece Becky and her darling dog Patou. Memorial services will be Wednesday, July 10, at 2PM at the First Christian Church of Warrensburg, with Pastor Jerry Bayse officiating. A celebration and reception will follow at the Russell Farm, 255 SE 600 Rd., in Warrensburg. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: Show Me Christian Youth Home, PO Box 6, Lamonte, MO 65337 or The Harvesters, www.harvesters.org or 816-929- 3000. Donations may be left in care of the Sweeney-Phillips and Holdren Funeral Home. Published in Kansas City Star on July 8, 2013

About Sandy Russell, Realtor

Working for Elsberry Realty, Sandy Russell was A Realtor for 30 years, she proudly served the market area of Warrensburg and areas surrounding Whiteman Air Force Base. Recognized as a Top Producer, she received many honors including the lifetime Million Dollar Club, Pinnacle Award for over 5 Million Dollars in sales many years, the Summit Level Award, and a Certificate of Recognition from Whiteman Air Force Base. Sandy was a person of integrity committed to the highest level of professionalism. She was a member of the Board of Directors of First Central Bank, Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce, Military Affairs Committee, and is past President of Whiteman Air Force Base Community Council.

Class Vice-President, Student Council Secretary, Vocal Music President, A Cappella Choir, National Honor Society

http://www.classmates.com/yearbooks/Liberty-High-School/29485?page=0

Miss Sandra Morris, Spectator Queen, Liberty High School, Missouri 1959

Jennies Volleyball to dedicate Robert G. Russell Sand Volleyball Courts

4/17/2013

WARRENSBURG, Mo. -- The Central Missouri Jennies volleyball team will dedicate the Robert G. “Bob” Russell Sand Volleyball Courts on Saturday, April 27 at 9:30 a.m. The courts were made possible thanks to a generous donation from Bob and Sandy Russell of Warrensburg.

The courts are being named for the former Board of Governor and 2005 Central Missouri Athletic Hall of Fame inductee, and are located at the corner of King and Warren streets in Warrensburg, right behind the UCM Track & Field throwing field.
“The donation of these courts will give Jennies volleyball an off-season training facility where they can work on skill development, while also benefitting the UCM student body with a place to play recreational and intramural volleyball,” said Jennies head coach Flip Piontek.
Russell is a long-time supporter of UCM athletics both financially and through his presence at Mules and Jennies sporting events. A former member of the UCM Board of Governors, he has served as a mentor, not only in his role in our legal system as district judge, but also as a loyal booster, to UCM students and athletes alike. Russell has also been honored with the University's Distinguished Service Award.
Following the dedication, the Jennies will use their final play date of the spring season schedule at the Bob Russell Courts. Jennies Volleyball dedicates Robert G. "Bob" Russell Sand Volleyball Courts
4/29/2013

Photo Gallery

Bob and Sandy Rusell, Warrensburg, MO 2013 Sand Volleyball Courts Dedication

WARRENSBURG, Mo. -- The Central Missouri Jennies Volleyball team along with members of the UCM Board of Governors and athletic administration officially dedicated the Robert G. "Bob" Russell Sand Volleyball Courts on Saturday morning. The courts were made possible thanks to a generous donation from Bob and Sandy Russell of Warrensburg.
The courts are named after Russell, a former Board of Governor and 2005 Central Missouri Athletic Hall of Fame inductee. They are located at the corner of King and Warren Streets in Warrensburg, right behind the UCM Track & Field throwing field.
He is a longtime supporter of UCM athletics both financially and through his presence at Mules and Jennies athletic events. A former member of the UCM Board of Governors, he has served as a mentor, not only in his role in our legal system as district judge, but also as a loyal booster, to UCM students and athletes alike. Russell has also been honored with the University's Distinguished Service Award.
The courts will give the Jennies an off-season training facility where they can work on skill development, while also benefiting the UCM student body with a place to play recreational and intramural volleyball.