Jalee Russell Abbott, age 70, of Hydro, Oklahoma, passed away and went to her heavenly home on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at Maple Lawn Manor, where she bravely battled ALS with strength and grace. She was born on August 2, 1955, in Clinton, Oklahoma, to Robert Franklin "Bob" Russell and Rita Lee (Thomas) Russell.

Jalee was the oldest of two daughters born to Bob and Rita Russell. In 1957, her sister, Darla Marie, joined the family, completing their family of four. Jalee was raised in Hydro and graduated from Hydro High School with the Class of 1973. Some may remember Rita and Jackie putting all 5 girls in a Pink Jeep with a pink and white fringed soft top and driving all over town singing.  During her school years, she was active in 4-H and FFA, raising and showing Chester White hogs, and was known as a tough guard on the girls' basketball team throughout junior high and high school.

After graduating from high school, Jalee attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University, where she pursued a degree in pharmacy. While attending SWOSU, she met the love of her life, Kent Abbott, in their botany lab class (it should be noted that Jalee sat down in between the girl Kent was dating at the time and Kent himself). The couple married (after Kent's Dad agreed to sign as Kent was only 19 and a man had to be at least 21 by state law to prevent women from taking advantage of young men in Oklahoma) on August 10, 1974, at the Church of Christ in Hydro. They honeymooned in South Fork, Colorado (where Jalee's grandparents promptly showed up at the cabin on day two), and then returned home to begin building a life together that would span more than five decades. Jalee earned her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy in 1977 and later completed her Doctorate in Pharmacy.

Following pharmacy school, Jalee and Kent moved to Oklahoma City, where she worked at McBride Bone & Joint Pharmacy and the couple owned and operated a long-term care pharmacy along with several retail pharmacies. In 1995, they sold their retail pharmacies and returned to Hydro, where they continued operating JK Pharmacy Service until selling the business in 1997.

Two years later, in 1999, Jalee and Kent founded Pharmcare with some of their previous coworkers and associates. Together they worked side by side day and night building the business for the next ten years. In 2010, Jalee retired to devote more time to her growing family, especially after the birth of her first grandchild, Sophie.

Jalee found immense joy in sewing and making Christmas stockings, fishing with her grandchildren, and faithfully attending church. She will be remembered for her ever-present warm smile and the genuine delight she showed when greeting others.

Jalee was preceded in death by her parents, Robert "Bob" and Rita Russell; her son, Collin Abbott; and her sister, Darla Marie Russell Sykes.

She is survived by her husband of the home, Kent Abbott; her son, Cody Abbott and wife Jenna of Hydro; and their children, Sophie, Bentley, Ava, and Audrey Abbott.

All donations can be made to Hydro Public Schools and put in memo: Athletics or Music. Donations in Jalee's honor can be mailed to: Hydro-Eakly Public Schools, 407 E. 7th Street, Hydro, OK 73048.

A funeral service for Jalee Russell Abbott will be held on Monday, March 9, 2026, 1:00 P.M. at the Church of Christ in Hydro with Garrett Bernethy officiating. Burial will directly follow at the Hydro Masonic Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Lockstone Funeral Home.