CARBONDALE – Betty L. Tope Russell, 93, of Carbondale, formerly of Ava, passed away at 7:05 A.M., Sunday, December 20, 2020, at Carbondale Memorial Hospital.

Betty was born in Ava, Illinois, on May 7, 1927, the daughter of Herman P and Ruth M. Carr Sharp.  She married William E Tope on March 3, 1946, in Ava, Illinois.  He preceded her in death on March 17, 1998.  She married Gene W. Russell on June 6, 1999 in Chester, Illinois, he preceded her in death on March 11, 2011.  Betty retired from owning B&B Café in Ava, Illinois.  She was a member of First Baptist Church, Ava, Illinois.

Betty is survived by three sons; Ed (Deb) Tope of Shelbyville, IL, Dennis (CoCo) Tope of Ava, IL, and Wayne Tope of Ava, IL, three daughters; LouAnn Kilpatrick of Steeleville, IL, Linda (Jim) Rathert of Campbell Hill, IL, and Patty Tope of Carbondale, IL, Son-in-law, Ron Coleman of Chester, seventeen grandchildren, fifty great grandchildren and seven great great grandchildren.  Two sisters; Mary Munns of Rexburg, ID, and Ruth Jones of Campbell Hill, IL, one brother, J.R. Kilpatrick of Rexburg, ID.

Betty was preceded in death by her Parents, Husbands, two great grandchildren and one daughter, Connie Coleman.

Graveside services will be held 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 22, 2020 at Ava Evergreen Cemetery, with Reverend Deb Rathert officiating.  Burial will follow.  Friends may call from 1 to 2 p.m. at the cemetery.  Memorials may be given to First Baptist Church of Ava and can be mailed to Wilson's Funeral Home, PO Box 217, Steeleville, IL  62288.  Due to COVID19, Phase 4 guidelines will be in effect, using social distancing and facemasks. To sign the guestbook visit www.wilsonsfuneralhome.net.