STILL TO BE EDITED
15. Istalena Louise5 Butler [Mrs Walter Russell] (Pleasant Burnell ["Pleas"],
11). Born, 30 Jul 1872, in Karnes Co, TX75. Died, 25 May 1961, in Kenedy,
Karnes Co, TX76. Burial in Kenedy City Cem.46.

Istalena was named by her father, Pleas, when at birth an Indian friend
of Pleas named "Red Blanket" looked at the baby and said "she looks like
Istalena" which in Indian language means white lily -- the name took!

Mrs I. L. Russell had a cattle brand registered 29 Nov 1943 (Karnes Co.
#264 in brand book p542) identified as the number "90" on left rear hip

Istalena raised her seven children by herself when her husband Walter
disappeared in 1909; her oldest son Ammons was four at the time and youngest
son Jimmy not yet born. She ran the ranch with the help of her children and was
fiercely independant until the time she broke her leg in the early 30's. Her
Son Ammons took over more and more responsibality of managing her business
along with his own. At the time of Ammons marriage in 1930 he lived on the
ranch and continued it's rigorous management until his health broke 1941, as a
probable result. Accordingly Istalena's busines fell into the hands of others.
Her leg (or hip) break had not been set well and left her with much pain,
walking with a cane. Her property was divided among her children. There was a
closeness among her children and they remained very family oriented with four
daughters continuing to live in Karnes county.
She belonged to the Methodist church and a was member of the Eastern Star.

Istalena married James Walter Russell ["Walter"]77, son of James Charles E.
Russell and Marjorie E. "Maggie" Dillard [Mrs James C Russell #1], 25 Apr 1893,
in Karnes Co, TX78. Mar License, 24 Apr 1893, in Karnes Co, TX. Born, 24 Aug
1869, in Robertson Co, TX79. Died in Texas??. Birth(2): 24 Aug 1870 (?), in
Texas80. Census: 1880, in Wilson Co, TX81. Census: 1900, in Karnes Co, TX.