Desert Sunset Funeral Home
Tucson, AZ

Samuel Elizabeth Russell (Sammie), 92, of Tucson, Arizona, passed away on November 27, 2016, of lung cancer. Her daughter Lauren Elizabeth Russell Quain was by her side when she passed. She was at Kanmar Place, a hospice facility where she received excellent and loving care in her last few months.

There will not be a funeral service but friends and family can visit the Desert Sunset Funeral Home website write remembrances or view pictures.

Samuel Elizabeth was born in Loy, Arkansas in Madison County, in the Ozark Mountains, on April 29, 1924. She was the youngest of eleven children of which ten survived into adulthood.

She was married twice and divorced twice.

Sam moved frequently when growing up and when married to her second husband. She said she loved wherever she lived. It cannot be over stated how much she loved nature, birds, animals, reptiles, fish, and plants. Even insects! They fascinated her and her joyful, inquisitive nature. Her home was filled with various plants and cuttings in water, which would prosper in pretty receptacles, later to be planted. She greatly enjoyed gardening, antiques, and collecting; rocks and feathers- all beautiful things in nature, as well, as man-made items. She loved to walk and explore the woods. Some of her children's fondest memories are taking long walks in the woods where Sam would point out various plants - what could be eaten, used medicinally or made into a lovely tea when brewed. She saw what many missed. .She was earthy, easy going, easy to talk to, uncritical and non-judgmental. She loved to have fun and she loved to dance to 'rock blues' music.

Sammie is survived by four daughters, three grandchildren, one great grandchild, several nieces and nephews, many friends, and two cats.

Sam is preceded in death by her mother, Lillie Mae (Carter) Russell and her father, John Riley Russell, as well as, her nephew John Barry Reynolds and a granddaughter. Sam was the last of her ten adult brothers and sisters to pass away. A few of her siblings lived to be 100 and 101 years of age.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to any two of her favorite charities;

The Nature Conservancy
4245 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 100
Arlington, VA 22203-1606
Office Phone: +1 (703) 841-5300

or

Defenders of Wildlife, www.defenders.org

Sam will be greatly missed. Rest in peace.