Russan Elizabeth "Samm" Adams

Russan "Samm" Elizabeth Adams left this world on Friday April 16, 2010, in Denver, while traveling home to Billings where she had resided for many years. She was 48.

Russan was born in Havre to Yvonne Cottrell and Darrell Cady on June 6, 1961, making her the oldest of four siblings. Russan married Roger Adams III on May 3, 1986, in Milford, N.H., and had three children, Roger IV, Nikia and Johnna. In 1994, she found her partner, Brent Sterrett, with whom she shared the remainder of her life. Russan lived her life from coast to coast, living in Montana, New Hampshire, Colorado and California to name a few. As long as she had sunshine, she was happy. As a stay-at-home mom, she enjoyed camping, shopping, lying in the sun, friends and even home-schooled her children for a short while during the elementary years. Russan was a wise woman who was not afraid to tell you how she felt. She was strong, fearless, generous and loving, and had endured much during her 48 years.

She is survived by Brent Sterrett of Billings; her children, Roger Adams IV of Billings, Nikia Adams of Billings; her mother, Yvonne Cottrell of Kalispell; siblings Rose Christianson of Havre, Charles Christianson of Havre, Jennifer Rutherford of Kalispell; her grandmother, Georgia Frigon of Havre; grandfather Bim Cottrell of Great Falls; and many aunties, uncles, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her daughters, Melissa May and Johnna Elizabeth; her uncle, Vern Cottrell; and her father, Darrell Cady.

A celebration of her amazing life and the gifts she gave all who encountered her will be held at Smith's West Funeral Chapel in Billings, on Friday, April 23, at 2 p.m., with a reception to follow.