Patricia "Patsy" S. Russell

Reverend Patricia Sharon Russell, age 90, passed into the Paradise of God on Friday, October 9, 2026 at Troy Rehabilitation and Healthcare, where she was a resident. She was a member of Christian Chapel Church in Tipp City, Ohio and was an ordained minister of the Kentucky Christian Conference, Wallingford, KY.

Patsy, as she was affectionately known, was born December 30, 1935 to Reverend Eugene, Russell and Esta Mae (Cochran) Russell. She is survived by her sister Juaneta Fern Smith, niece Cathy (Joe) Morton, great nephew Joshua (Laura) Morton and three great-great nieces Lakyn, Aliza, and Kamber.

At the age of 14, while sitting with her younger sister in her parent’s car outside of a bar in Portsmouth, Ohio, she made a promise to God that if he would get her parents out of the bars and save them both she would serve him the rest of her life. God did his part and she began a walk with Christ that would last for the next 76 years.

Patsy graduated from Pleasant Hill School and attended God‘s Bible School in Cincinnati, Ohio. She worked for many years at Piqua Container. After feeling the call to ministry, she faithfully preached the gospel of Jesus Christ for the rest of her life. Her first sermon was at New Boston, (OH) First Christian Holiness Church, under the ministry of Reverend Ella Williams, whose preaching had led to the conversion of her parents. She and Sister Ella were lifelong friends. She ministered for many years at New Boston, along with best friend Carolyn Spade in the Sunday school, Children's Church and Youth Ministry. The lives of countless boys and girls were impacted for eternity by her dedication to them and her teaching.

Patsy had many fond memories of trips to the Holy Land with Ella and Carolyn as well as gospel singing cruises. During one of her trips to Israel, she was baptized for the second time in the Jordan River, just as Jesus had been nearly 2000 years ago.

She pastored at First Christian Holiness Church in New Boston after the passing of Sister Williams and would later pastor London Gospel Tabernacle in London, Ohio. She was especially close to Vernon and Willena Brown and went on many trips, vacations, gospel singing concerts and dinner outings with them. In her later years she was very close friends with Janie Binkley, who became a caregiver and confidant. They both said they had adopted each other.

Patsy will be greatly missed by everyone who knew and loved her.

A visitation will be held from 11:00-1:00 PM on Thursday, October 15, 2026 at Frings and Bayliff Funeral Home, 327 W. Main St., Tipp City, Ohio 45371. Funeral service will begin at 1:00 PM with Pastor Steve Wilson officiating. Patsy will be laid to rest at Miami Memorial Park in Covington, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Patsy’s memory to the Christian Chapel, 95 Ginghamsburg Rd, Tipp City, OH 45371. Online condolences may be expressed at www.fringsandbayliff.com.