James "Russell" Broyles (Lebanon)'s Obituary
James Russell Broyles, son of Ferd Carl and Nannie Belle O’Quinn Broyles, was born February 20, 1930, near Lebanon, in Laclede County, Missouri. He departed this life Thursday, July 28, 2022, in Lebanon South Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of ninety-two years, five months, and eight days.
On July 7, 1968, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Marilyn Louise Huckaby, and they shared forty-nine years before Marilyn’s passing on August 28, 2017.
He was also preceded in death by his parents; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ernst and Helen Huckaby; a brother-in-law, Tom Kinnett; a sister-in-law, Carol Jean Baughman; and a nephew, Mike Baughman.
Russell is survived by his sister, Betty Kinnett, of Lebanon, Missouri; several nieces and nephews, including Douglas and Marty Kinnett, Dwight and Lynn Kinnett, Teresa (Kinnett) and George Inman, Mark Baughman, Brenda Baughman, Lynn Baughman, and all their families; special friends, Dennis and Judy Lambeth; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He was born in 1930, and three and one half years later on August 24, 1933, he was joined by a little sister, Betty Glee, the surprise of his life. He attended Hazel Dell School for eight years, and then Lebanon High School until graduating in 1949. He then served his country faithfully in the United States Army from 1950 until 1953 and was in the active reserves for five years. In 1950 school term he taught at Harmony School and then from 1953 – 1954 he taught at Heard School. He received his Associate Degree from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar in 1954, and his Bachelor in Science Degree from Missouri State University in Springfield in 1956. While studying at Southwest Baptist he met Marilyn, his future wife, and after sixteen years of friendship they were married, in 1968. He earned his Master’s Degree in Education from Drury University in Springfield in 1959. On January of 1956, he continued his teaching career at Independence Public Schools in Independence, Missouri, retiring from there in July of 1985. Russell and Marilyn then made their home near Lebanon and enjoyed their retirement years. They had a little dog, “Smokey”, that kept them in line for several years.
Russell was converted during a revival meeting at Happy Hill Church in September of 1945 and was baptized at Long Ford by Rev. Henry Long. He was a longtime active member of Happy Hill Church.
He enjoyed gardening and grew and sold vegetables for twenty-four seasons at Laclede County Famers Market in Lebanon. He was the overseer of the Hough Chapel Cemetery for a number of years. He also enjoyed writing and reading poetry.
Russell was a loving family man, a dedicated teacher and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and know that he will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him.
. Friends may call at their convenience. Burial will be in the Hough Chapel Cemetery. A memorial has been established to the Happy Hills Church Youth program. Memorial donations may be left at the funeral home.
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