Rev. Russel Edwin Mapes was born in Plymouth, Pennsylvania on September 23, 1930.  He passed away in Tomball, Texas on September 8, 2019 after suffering a heart attack.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Trudie (Duffy) Mapes; two brothers, Donald and Walter Mapes; one sister, Bertha (Mapes) Woods; and another sister who died in infancy, his late son-in-law, the late Jerry Kline, Marci Powell, granddaughter-in-law, and Josh Powell, great-grandson.

Rev. Mapes is survived by his beloved wife Mary Joan (Dameron) Mapes [of what he referred to as "130 years of marriage (65 for him and 65 for her)].  He is also survived by their children Rebecca (Mapes) Obenland and husband Warren, Deborah (Mapes) Vance and husband Terry, Stephen Mapes, Mary Kathryn (Mapes) Kline, Rev. Daniel Mapes and wife Karis (Adler) Mapes, Sarah (Mapes) Russ, and Joanna (Mapes) Wurtz.  He is also survived by 28 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.

After his high school graduation, he tried to enlist in the U.S. Army with a close friend of his.  His friend was accepted, but he was rejected because he failed the physical examination.  He was told that he had a "heart murmur".

Rev. Mapes was in his late teen years when he was saved by God's grace.  After repeated invitations and much persuasion by his sister, he reluctantly agreed to attend church ONE TIME.  He later commented that after his third church visit he had learned two things.  He learned that he was a great sinner, and that the Lord Jesus Christ was a great Savior!

After his conversion he felt a call of God into the Gospel ministry.  Following that leading, he attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL.  He also attended Tennessee Temple Bible School in Chattanooga, TN  from which he graduated in 1954.  He had additional training for the ministry at Wycliff Bible Translators and the Kennedy School of Missions.  He was ordained for the ministry March 25, 1955 at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Plymouth, Pennsylvania.

It was during his studies at Moody that he became burdened for foreign missions; however, he was concerned that his heart condition might preclude his becoming a missionary.  He decided to consult with a physician.  After examining his heart the doctor told him that he could not detect anything wrong with his heart.  It appeared to him then that God had protected and prevented him from going into the military.

While he was still a student at Moody, Rev. Mapes fell in love with Mary Dameron after seeing her in a hospital morgue.  The Director of Practical Christian Work assigned students to minister in the Cook County (IL) Hospital.  As part of the students' orientation, they were given a tour of the building.  The tour included a visit to the hospital morgue.  While he was in the morgue he noticed a beautiful redhead student open one of the corpse drawers to look inside.  This drew his attention to her.  He later commented that he "wondered who that crazy redhead was who was looking into a drawer!"  Shortly after this he began courting her and they were married in 1954.

In 1957 Rev. Mapes answered the specific call of God to go to the mission field in Ghana, Africa.  Together with his wife they faithfully served their Lord and Savior under Baptist Mid-Missions for nearly 40 years.  Approximately 30 of those years were spent in Ghana evangelizing and planting churches. They served in Lawra, Wa, Tumu, Accra, and Sunyani.  Rev. and Mrs. Mapes also assisted with a mission church in Houston, Texas. They also started a Baptist church in Brownsville, Texas.

Rev. Mapes co-authored a book with another writer.  He also wrote two books of his own:  "Why Not Leave Them Alone?" and "Think On These Things".

Although Rev. Mapes' life was spent for his Lord and Savior in faithful service, he never based his salvation on those things.  He believed and preached, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2: 8,9

The Mapes family will receive friends and loved ones for visitation on Thursday, September 12, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.  The viewing will be at the Klein Funeral Home, 14711 FM 1488, Magnolia, TX  77355.  The funeral service will be held on Friday, September 13, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at the Klein Funeral Home (same address).  Interment will be immediately afterwards in Klein Memorial Park just east of the funeral home.  A celebration of Rev. Mapes' life and ministry will be held after the graveside service at the Southwinds Baptist Church, 16811 FM 2920, Tomball, TX.  Food and refreshments will be provided courtesy of the church.

In lieu of flowers donations can be sent to Baptist Mid-Missions designated to the Ghana Wa Bible Institute and Book Fund.For information on donations through Baptist Mid-Missions please go to www.bmm.org or call at 440 826 3930.