Clara Russell Pyles passed from this life on November 2, 2023 in Columbia. Born on June 5, 1933 in Perryville, Kentucky, she was the daughter of the late Marcus and Elizabeth “Lizzie” Butler Russell of Mackville, Kentucky.
A graduate of Lexington Business College, Clara had various careers: bookkeeper, school bus driver, accountant, farmer and a co-owner of Pyles Machinery that she worked side by side with her beloved and much adored husband Leroy Pyles who preceded her in death. Not only did she have incredible accounting skills, but she could take tractor and bus motors apart and put them back together again. She was amazingly a “Jack of all Trades.”
Upon retirement Clara and Leroy relocated to Albany, where they logged and built their own log home. They loved the Foothills of Clinton County. Clara belonged to Westview Christian Church in Albany. She loved her church and all of its members. They were like family to her.
Survivors include her daughter, Deb Pyles Waddell (John) of Columbia, stepson David Pyles (Kelly) of Cincinnati, Ohio; our grandchildren, Alexa Koziol, Arianna Reed, Shawn Reed and Monica Antwine; four step grandchildren, three great grandchildren, six step great grandchildren, two step great-great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her very beloved brothers; William Reid Russell, Morrison Lee Russell and Burtice Russell and son Joseph Morrison Reed.
Clara was someone who could make everyone laugh! She always had great stories to tell from the past. Some of her favorite memories were fun times with her dad and brothers, driving the school bus for the Washington County Marching Band, taking a group of 4-H kids on an exchange trip to New York and driving her school bus in Ohio where she was awarded 1st place in the region for her driving skills.
Funeral Services were held Saturday, November 4th at Talbott Funeral Home in Albany. Bro.Nelson Reynolds conducted the funeral and graveside burial at Peter’s Cemetery in Mackville.
Pallbearers were Wes Holderman, Shawn Reed, Beth Russell, Tim Russell, Lyndon Turner, John Waddell
Honorary Pallbearers were all the members of Westview Christian Church, Leland Turner and Wayne Tuggle
A grateful thank you to Hosparus Health of Campbellsville. These people are all angels.
“May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”
Burial was in Peter Cemetery in Mackville, Kentucky.
