Blondeau-Russell, Faye

BLONDEAU-RUSSELL, Faye Elizabeth "Betty"

Passed away October 2, 2021. She was 84.

Born in Decatur, GA to Charles Rupert Youngblood and Faye Simpson Youngblood, Betty graduated from Decatur High School before attending Georgia College for Women in Milledgeville. She transferred to University of Georgia and graduated with a degree in education. Betty was a proud KD (Kappa Delta) while at UGA.

Betty taught high school in Maryland, where she met her first husband, Leroy Oliver Blondeau. She found her calling at the Atlanta Children's theatre. She began as a volunteer and went on to become the Alliance Theatre's director of development. She thrived working amongst close friends and chosen theatre family. She was instrumental in growing the Alliance into the acclaimed regional theatre it is today. She retired from the Alliance after 34 years and joined Kenny Leon's True Colors for many years.

State and local government was Betty's next adventure. She lobbied at the state level for City of Decatur's Senior Citizen tax exemption. She also worked to strengthen the ethics legislation in Dekalb County. She was involved in Good Growth Dekalb, Dekalb Citizens Advocacy Council, Woodlands Garden, and Save Decatur's Trees. She was a lifelong member of the Junior League of Dekalb County and helped save and develop the Mary Gay House.

Betty loved travel and in retirement brought her family on global adventures. She was an avid reader and a member of multiple book clubs. She remained close with her Decatur and UGA girlfriends. She loved a homegrown tomato and was excited by great food. She even tried her hand at catering, but her real joy was cooking and entertaining for family and friends.

Betty was preceded in death by her second husband, Ralph Moran Russell. She is survived by her daughter Laura Blondeau-Robinson and her husband Joe Robinson; her son Robert Blondeau and his wife Kirsten Nantz; her son Steven Blondeau and his wife Kristen Blondeau; her grandchildren Robert Evans and his wife Heather Evans; Elizabeth McCarter and her husband Thomas McCarter; and Bella Blondeau.

Betty was a mentor, a good citizen, and she loved to laugh. Love was her religion and she showered those around her in smiles.

Sign the guestbook at Legacy.com