RUSSELL- Belva P. Church, age 92, of Russell, NY passed away on Thursday, April 23, 2026 at Gouverneur Hospital.

There will be a graveside service for Belva on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Fairview Cemetery with Rev. Charles Colton officiating. Arrangements are entrusted to French Funeral Home, Edwards. Condolences may be shared online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com.

Belva was born on March 11, 1934 in Ogdensburg, NY to the late William and Beatrice (Johnson) Parker. She married William L. Church on July 25, 1953 at the Gouverneur United Methodist Church with Rev. Woods officiating. William passed away on November 9, 1991.

Belva had worked for a little while at Kodak in Rochester, before moving back to Russell, where she cleaned homes around the neighborhood. She then became a certified nurse's aid and worked for United Helpers in Canton. In her free time, she enjoyed picking berries, canning and making jelly, watching the birds and working on embroidery.

Surviving are three sons, William and Lynn Church, Larry Church and David and Janet Church; a daughter, Helen and Charlie Cole; three sisters-in-law, Sharon Parker, Kay Church and Carol Fuller; and several grandchildren, great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

Belva is predeceased by her husband, William; her parents, William and Beatrice Parker; two daughters, Sheila Van Norton and Kathy Church who died at birth; a brother, Phillip Parker; and two sisters, Joan Tuttle and her twin sister, Velva O'Hearn.