Norma “LaVern” (Boyd) Russell July 17, 1938 ~ August 17, 2026 (age 88)

Funeral services for LaVern Russell, 88, of Portales will be held at 10:00 AM, Fri., Aug. 21, 2026 at the Calvary Baptist Church with Rev. Wesley McAfee officiating, assisted by Rev. Brad Morgan. Burial will follow in the Portales Cemetery with Colby Russell, JD Russell, Alec Russell, Tristen Pool, Treven Pool and Cody Russell serving as pallbearers. All her other grandchildren and great-grandchildren will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Norma LaVern Russell, known to virtually everyone as LaVern, was born July 17, 1938 in Plainview, TX to the home of Harvie (Downs) and Eldon Boyd, and passed from this life on Aug. 17, 2026 in Portales, NM. When LaVern was a girl, she moved to Melrose where she spent several years before moving again to Truth or Consequences, NM in the early 1950’s. On April 17, 1954 in Socorro, NM she was married to Jim Russell. Portales remained her home for the rest of her life.

LaVern was a wonderful homemaker. She was an accomplished seamstress, and made all of her daughter’s clothing. LaVern also crocheted, and she also handcrafted ribbon crosses to gift to family and friends. She was an excellent cook, and baker. Among the family favorites were her cinnamon rolls and chocolate pie. In addition to her household responsibilities, she helped her husband at their veterinary supply business, and also cleaned house for two local families. LaVern was an active and faithful member of Calvary Baptist Church, and was a devoted member of her ladies’ Sunday School class. She loved to play games with her family and friends, especially Wahoo or as the family referred to it as Marbles.

She is survived by Jim, her husband of 72 years of their home; a son and daughter-in-law, Rickey and Susan Russell of Flower Mound, TX; a daughter and son-in-law, Ronda and Don Pool of Granbury, TX; six grandchildren, Colby Russell, Cody Russell, Lyndsey Russell, Tristen Pool, Treven Pool, and Sidnee Berberich; thirteen great-grandchildren, JD, Alec, Kaitlyn, Kody, Jesika, Nora, Abbie, Romi, Greta and Trinity Russell and Bostynn McDonald, Baker Berberich and Marcellis Clemmons. She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Geraldine Burch and Imogene Grider, a granddaughter, Shaina Pool and a son, David Russell.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to BeeHive Homes of Portales and Excelacare for their compassionate care and support.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to NM Baptist Children’s Home in memory of LaVern Russell.