Bettye Kayron Little Russell

Bettye Kayron Little Semple Russell went to rest with her heavenly father surrounded by her beloved friends and family November 14, 2025.

Born October 17, 1943, at her grandmother’s home in Rockport in Simpson County Mississippi.

She graduated from New Hebron High School in 1962 and received degrees from Copiah Lincoln Community College and Mississippi College.

A member of Brandon Baptist Church, she devoutly studied the Bible and enjoyed fellowship with her fellow Christians.

She loved teaching for many years at Brandon Middle School, where she eventually held the position of principal over the fifth and sixth grade. Upon her retirement, she continued her passion for education by mentoring student teachers through Mississippi State University’s College of Education.

She was preceded in death by her husband Bill Semple of Saluda, South Carolina; her much loved parents, Robert Leslie Little and Dorothy Juanita Watkins “Mama Nee” Little of Rockport; and her beloved eldest sister, Wilda Nell Little Thibodeaux of Brandon, Mississippi.

She is survived by her childhood love and Husband, Kermit Russell; beloved children, Joseph H Pitts (Sarah) Sherra Semple Carr (Carl), Wendy Harrell (Billy), Dawn Dunn (Clint), and Michael Russell (Mariana).

She is also survived by her loving sisters Peggye Little Berry and Cherrye Little Jones as well as her wonderful sister-in-law Glenda Hentz. Also surviving their Nanny/Nanny Kake are her grandchildren Conner, Caden, Priscilla, Kody, Anna, Emily, Kaitlyn (Michael), Brianna (Jesse), Linda Grace, Daniel, Dustin (Ashley), Heaven, Gavin, Mya, Aaron, and Julian; as well as her great-grandchildren Dempsey, Graham, and Tateam.

Other family members include Kayron’s nieces and nephews: Nell’s children: Zann (Teressa); Peggy’s Children: Rhonda, Kurt, Kelly, Josh, Jonathan (Reagan), Cherry’s children: Jennifer (Clint), Jason (April), and Jeremy; as well as Tina (Lee), Robby (Angel), Dawn (Dave), and Hunter (Victoria), Kayron’s mother‘s first great grandchild, Christopher Jones and her Watkins and Little cousins.

She held close her beloved and treasured friends, Vicky Prall, Marvene Bross, Nora McInnis, Barbara McDill and Kay Vince. In addition, she leaves behind many other treasured friends she loved dearly including those classmates and friends from her school days, many friends made in adulthood, her fellow teachers and students. Her students always held a special place in her heart.

Visitation will be at Ott and Lee Funeral Home in Brandon, MS on Tuesday November 18, 2025 at 10:00AM with memorial service immediately following at 12:00PM. Graveside services will follow at Brandon Memorial Gardens in Brandon, MS.

In lieu of flowers, the family humbly requests that memorials be made to Saint Judes Children’s Research Hospital or Save the Children.