Doris Redden Kyle Russell 98 , born September 20, 1927, in Farmerville, Louisiana, passed away April 22, 2026, at her home surrounded by her family. A lifelong member of the community, she lived a life marked by faith, service, and dedication to those around her.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM, Sunday, April 26, 2026 at Sardis Baptist Church with Bro. John Rushing , Richard Kilpatrick and Bro. Harlin Knight officiating. Interment will follow at Sardis Cemetery under the direction of Farrar Funeral Home.

In 1945, Doris married the love of her life, Leonard Kyle, and together they built a life centered on family, hard work, and deep community roots. She devoted herself to raising her family and creating a home filled with care and love. After Leonard's passing, in 1965, she married Robert Russell in 1969 embracing his children and grandchildren as her own and expanding her family with the same love and devotion.

She graduated from Farmerville High School and attended North Central Vo-Tech, where she studied business, shorthand, and typing. She worked as a secretary and held positions with local businesses, including Rogers Grocery, Huckabee's, Baker Brush in Farmerville until its closing, A Dental assistant and the Toggery Clothing Store.

Doris also made history as the first woman to serve on the Union Parish Police Jury, marking an important milestone for women in local Louisiana politics. After the passing of her First husband, Leonard Kyle, she completed the final two years of his term and was later elected in her own right, serving a four-year term and continuing her service to the community. Her contributions were later recognized by the Union Museum's "Eyewitness to History" series.

A lifelong member of Sardis Baptist Church, Doris served as church clerk and was known as a steady and faithful presence. Her life reflected a deep and abiding faith.

For more than 35 years, Doris served as the caretaker of Sardis Cemetery, a role she carried with pride and commitment until her health declined two weeks before her passing, when she entrusted the responsibility to her niece. Through her work, she helped preserve a place of peace and remembrance for generations of families. She found joy in life's simple pleasures—tending her garden, caring for her flowers, feeding her red birds, hummingbirds, and bunnies, and keeping a beautiful yard. She was the Phase 10 card game Queen and A talented seamstress, she made clothes for her children, including special pieces for milestones such as senior prom and piano recitals. She was also known for her cooking, especially her chocolate pies, strawberry cake, chicken and dumplings, and her beloved banana pudding—meals that brought family together and created lasting memories. Doris cherished time spent with others, often driving to visit her many nieces and grandchildren, and she enjoyed browsing yard sales in search of small treasures. She was known for her quick wit and sharp sense of humor, always ready with a remark that could bring laughter to any room. She will be remembered for her strength, her kindness, and the quiet way she cared for those around her.

Doris was preceded in death by her husbands, Leonard Kyle and Robert B. Russell; parents, Joe H. and Grace Craighead Redden; son, Tony Leonard Kyle (Carlene Pardue); sister, Mary Nell Redden; brother, Clenton Redden (Marteal); and granddaughter, Ashley St. Romain.

She is survived by her daughters, Joyce Kyle Grier (Jimmy) and Sunnye St. Romain; grandchildren, Emily Kyle Ledford (Mark), Jesse Leonard Grier (Anna), Alex Grier (Ashley), and Marcus Grier (Danielle); great granddaughter, Iszy Ledford and a number of great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

Serving as pallbearers will be Jesse Grier, Dustin Allen, Alex Grier, Marcus Grier, Austin Grier and John Ledford. Honorary pallbearers will be Mark Ledford, Jackie Murray, Max Harrison, Gordon Kyle, and Butch Bearden.

Celebration of life will be held at 1:00 Pm, prior to the service, Sunday, April 26, 2026 at Sardis Baptist Church, 367 Sardis Church Road , Farmerville.

In lieu of flowers, Doris and the family request that donations be made to the Sardis Cemetery, in honor of Doris and her years of dedicated service.