The Many Names of Barbara Allen Russell On May 19, 1932, a daughter, Barbara Mae Allen, was born to Elon E. Allen and Hettie Hill Allen of Swampers, LA. Two years later, she became a sister when her brother, Sherman Allen, was born, he later nicknamed her "Bo". At five years old she met a young friend, Eddie Bradley (Higginbotham). She was a friend with Eddie until her death. Barbara was a student at Lone Pine School and Crowville High School; after moving to Angola with her parents for a construction job she graduated in 1950 at St. Francisville, LA. That is where she met J. W. "Dub" Russell, who was also working at the Angola Prison project, then she became his wife October 20, 1950. J. W. and Barbara settled into married life first in Winnsboro where J. W. worked on the new courthouse, then later lived in Swampers where they eventually moved into her childhood home where she lived the rest of her life and died there May 21, 2022, at the age of 90, surrounded by her family. Barbara was a loving mother to Karon Russell Eldridge, Miriam Russell Caldwell (Ricky) and Gary Allen Russell (Penny); she was a stay-at-home mother until the Federal Teacher's Aide program came to Franklin Parish Schools in 1971. She applied for the job at Ward III High School and started her career, but at the age of 40 she decided to go to college at then Northeast Louisiana University where she got her degree in Elementary Education. She finished her career as a teacher at Ward III High School. When her first grandchild, LaJuan Caldwell, started talking she called Barbara, mother, just as her mother, aunt, and uncle did. This name stuck and she was from then on known as mother to her grandchildren: LaJuan Caldwell McMurray (Mark), Russell Caldwell (Jodi), Jason Herrington (Melissa), Reid Caldwell (Betsy); and she was ME Maw to Rachel Russell Elliot (Carl); great-grandchildren: Kylie McMurray Keys (Cadell), Ryder Caldwell(Taylor), Mario Whitley, Jacob Caldwell, Gabe Caldwell, Hunter Caldwell, Maddy Jane Caldwell, Brecken Elliott, Silas Herrington, Hadley Herrington, and Judah Herrington; great-great-grandchildren: Noah Keys, River Caldwell, and soon to be, Ivy Caldwell. Barbara was Aunt Bo to nieces: Marilyn Allen Wilson (Kim), Susan Allen Handy, and nephew Sherman Allen, Jr. (Jill), and their families. Barbara was church clerk, secretary, and treasurer at Crockett Point Baptist Church for many years until her retirement. Barbara is preceded in death by her parents, husband and son-in-law, Theo Eldridge, Jr. Pallbearers will be Sherman Allen, Gabe Caldwell, Hunter Caldwell, Jacob Caldwell, Reid Caldwell, Ryder Caldwell, and Mark McMurray. Visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m. Monday, May 23, 2022, at Crockett Point Baptist Church; the funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 24, 2022, at Crocket Point Baptist Church with Rev. Russell Caldwell and Rev. Jason Herrington officiating; with burial following at Harris Cemetery, all under the direction of Dennard First National Funeral Home of Winnsboro. Mother touched so many peoples lives through her years of teaching, at church and school. 2 Timothy 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" Online condolences may be made at www.dennardfirstnational.com

Visitation

Crockett Point Baptist Church

Monday, May 23, 2022
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM 139 Crockett Point Church road Winnsboro, LA 71295
Directions
Funeral Service

Crockett Point Baptist Church

Tuesday, May 24, 2022
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM 139 Crockett Point Church road Winnsboro, LA 71295
Directions
Burial

Harris Cemetery

Tuesday, May 24, 2022
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM 3070 French Turn Road Crowville, LA
Directions