Samantha Russell

Samantha Russell

Mill Spring, N.C.

Samantha Leanne Russell, 24, beloved daughter of Jon Derek and Kelli Mathis Russell passed away unexpectedly on July 15, 2020.

She was a rising senior at UNC Charlotte working towards obtaining double majors in Clinical Social Work and Health Care Administration.  She had a passion for helping people and her career goals were to be able to utilize her personal experiences, education, and time to help people who are struggling with addiction. 

Samantha will always be known for her beautiful smile, infectious laugh, and ability to make everyone who she came into contact with feel special.   Her personality was magnetic and unique.  She had a kind heart and giving spirit, helping anyone she could. She loved her collegiate studies and prided herself on her essay writing abilities. She was always willing to sing hymns at church with her mother and sisters.  She enjoyed late night chats with her father and sisters.  She had always been a shining light in this world and will be missed dearly.

She is survived by her parents, Derek and Kelli Russell, her sisters Sarah Elizabeth Russell, Scarlett Katherine Russell, Rebecca Ann Russell, and Rachel Irene Russell. She is also survived by her paternal grandmother, Margie Gibbs Russell, her maternal grandparents, Curtis and Julie Bradley, as well as Bruce and Lisa Mathis, and her fiancé Jeremy Preusser. 

She was predeceased by her paternal grandfather Nicholas Edwin Russell. 

Services will be held at 3 pm on Tuesday, July 21 of 2020 at Mountain View Baptist Church at 2837 Lake Adger Rd, Mill Spring, North Carolina 28756.

In lieu of flowers, the Russell family is requesting that a monetary donation be made to First Step Farm of WNC, P.O. Box 1450, Candler, NC 28715.  It is important for people in early recovery to have the opportunity to effectively rebuild their lives and reintegrate into society.  Samantha was fortunate to spend time at First Step Farm and thrived while she was there. Unfortunately, Samantha continued to struggle with addiction, which ultimately claimed her life.

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