Mrs. Kimberly Russell's Obituary
Kim Antoinette Russell (Evans) was born on July 19, 1967, to Marvin L. Evans and Shirley C. Evans (Fantroy). On a recent road trip out Highway 287 West, through cities and towns she frequently visited as a child headed to Vernon, Texas, for a long, hot summer vacation at Grandma Authorine’s house, Kim saw the exit to Altus, Oklahoma, the city of her birth. Right then, she declared she was the best thing that ever came out of Altus. No poll was taken but she was probably right.
Kim spent her childhood in Fort Worth, Texas, and attended elementary, junior high and high school in the Everman Independent School District. She loved drill team, what would turn out to be lifetime friends, and boys. She graduated from Everman Joe C. Bean High School in 1985. #ForeverABulldog. Later, she earned an Associate’s Degree in Fashion Design from Bauder Fashion College. This was not a surprising move from this beauty. She enjoyed fashion and just enough makeup to accent her good looks. She said God made up for her bird legs by making her face so pretty. Kim would go on to work in various positions using her impeccable speaking and vocal skills. She could sell water to a river and snow to a snowman. She was a natural. Undoubtedly, her co-workers at Endzone (where she was affectionately known as “Kimbo Slice”) and IHG Hotels & Resorts would agree. She even did a stint at a General Motors plant. When asked how she was able to do the labor-intensive manual work on an automotive assembly line, she responded, “When you talk good, you don’t have to work hard.” But, she was a hard worker and anyone who wasn’t willing to put in work on their job or in the home was considered a “work dodger” and she meant it.
In 1997, Kenneth Holmes and Kim became the proud parents of Kennedy Antoinette Holmes. Each of them seemingly cut from the same cloth in different years. They were three peas in a pod.
To Kim’s delight, Kimberly Evans and Leon Carl Russell took a vacation to Las Vegas. Who knows who won or lost the bet but a thing happened on March 30, 2000. They returned to Fort Worth as Mr. and Mrs. Leon Carl Russell! They were tickled and smiling like high school kids. It’s a good story but it’s too much and too juicy to detail here. They were in love and that love has stood the test of time. To their union was born Pharrah Rose Russell in 2006. She is her daddy’s heart and her mama’s keeper.
Our Kim. The life of the party. She didn’t arrive at the party, she brought it. Every. Single. Time. Vocal, confident and never afraid or shy, her opinions would be heard. Forever the comedian, even in sickness she let it be known “I still got this mouth. I can still talk.” Recently, a small group of friends and family were at Kim’s bedside and it was believed that she was passing on. The conversation and observations took a decidedly somber turn. The mood in the room changed. Then, with perfect timing and animation that could only come from Kim, she said, “Y’ all, I’m not dead. I’m still alive!” Amazement, smiles and laughter ensued. Kim was a member of the Potter’s House – Dallas. Certainly, she had a churchy reference to go with her exclamation as she was quick to tell a person what “my bishop” said. If so, she held it.
On Sunday, May 9, 2021, Kim died peacefully as she slept. It was Mother’s Day. She was surrounded by loving and devoted family when she was suddenly in Paradise, and again in the presence of her sister, Regina Davis; maternal grandmother, Authorine Bell; maternal grandfather, Shedrick Fantroy; paternal grandparents (Oscar and Gladys Evans), more grandparents (George and Valrie Stoker), aunts, uncles, and other relatives and friends. “Cadillac Kim” is in the good company of believers.
Here, until reunited with Kim outside of these earthly bodies, are her husband of 21 years, Leon Russell; children: Kennedy Holmes and Pharrah Russell; mother, Shirley Evans (George Stoker); father, Marvin Evans; sister, Marvina Robinson (Winston); nieces and nephew, Gjuana Shaw (Darrell), Demetria Davis, Jacob Robinson and Camille Robinson; mother-in-law, Lela Russell; sisters-in-law, Tina Russell, Sonya McMurrain (David), Toni Barna (Klaus); brother-in-law, Arsol Russell (Melanie); and a host of beloved family and friends.
What’s your fondest memory of Kimberly?
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Share a story where Kimberly's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Kimberly you’ll never forget.
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