Karen Lavina Russell – Jan. 4, 1939 – Oct. 5, 2026

Karen Lavina (Spencer) Russell, 87, of Fort Worth, passed away peacefully on Oct. 5, 2026 at Community Hospice House. A celebration of life service will be held Nov. 21, 2026, at South Hills Christian Church, 3200 Bilglade Rd, Fort Worth 76133 In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Community Healthcare (Hospice) of Texas or South Hills Christian Church. Born in Hutchinson, Kansas, on Jan. 4, 1939, Karen graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1957, and from Adehale Business College in 1958. She met and married a young Naval Air Corp serviceman, Tom Russell on July 31, 1959, and they had 3 children. In Oklahoma City where she lived for 50 years, from 1968 to 2018, Karen was Chief Operating Officer of Domestic and Household Operations, Family Logistics Coordinator and Health & Wellness Administrator for her husband and 3 children, and she excelled at each role. Karen was a gifted musician and naturally artistic. She was a singer and played piano, taught herself guitar, and dabbled in banjo. She was director of adult and children’s choirs at Memorial Christian Church in OKC for 12+ years. She played piano accompaniments for all three of her children (and their friends) when they were in middle and high school instrumental/band competitions (Tim-trumpet, Becky-clarinet, Cindy-alto saxophone). Karen sang in Sweet Adeline Oklahoma City Chorus, as well as a barbershop quartet. She also sang in The OKC Chorale, in the 1980’s-90’s, which was a part of the world’s largest singing organizations for women. They sang for numerous concerts and competitions. In later years she sang in the church choirs at Western Oaks Christian Church in Oklahoma City and South Hills Christian Church in Fort Worth. She was an excellent alto! Karen was a great cook, making many dishes homemade from scratch, such as chicken and noodles, Hungarian Goulash, ham scallops, cookies, cakes, and breads. Karen sewed all of the family’s clothes until times changed. She was a cat person all of her life and she passed this down to her daughters. Home businesses, Silks by Karen, and Weddings by Karen were started in the 1980’s, where she made and sold silk flower arrangements, wedding cakes, and planned/organized wedding receptions in OKC. Karen was preceded in death by her husband, Tom; her parents, Vernon and Ruby Spencer; and her brothers, Robert and Dennis Spencer (Barbara). She is survived by her sister, Connie; her brother Allen (LuAnne); sister-in-law, Phyllis Spencer; brother-in-law, Bill Russell (Jeanne); sister-in-law, Vicki Russell; and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her children, Tim Russell (Kristen), Becky Fancher (Tim), and Cindy Russell (Rick Pribnow); eight grandchildren, Sean, Jake, Sammie (Luke), Daniel (Jessie), Mandy (Chase), Ian, Harrison, Annabel; and two great-grandchildren, Kaden and Krew. Most of all, Karen loved and cherished spending time with all her grandchildren. Karen will be remembered for her kindness, sense of humor, music, faith, and love for her family. Her love and artistic talents were a gift to everyone who knew her. GREENWOOD FUNERAL HOME Greenwood Funeral Homes – Cremation 3344 White Settlement Road, Fort Worth 76107 817-336-0584