March 23, 1988 - December 05, 2015
We are sorry if this obituary offends anyone. We are sharing without shame and we hope that it will continue to uncover the brutality of addiction and how this enemy shows no mercy if you let it in. - One decision made long ago has cost our daughter her life and has changed ours forever. We know were not alone; drug addiction has become an epidemic in our society. Before leaving us, Crystal said she wanted her life to make a difference and she wanted to save others from this destructive disease. - Crystal started experimenting with drugs at the young age of 14. Over the past several years she attempted to quit, and through professional treatment programs, she had some extended periods of success. However, todays drugs are so addictive that it often only takes one use to grab hold of a person. Heroin changed her and took over. Even knowing her heart was failing due to an infection caused by drug use, Crystal could not resist their pull. - On December 5, 2015 Crystal AnnMarie Russell, at only 27 years old, went to be with our Lord. She was surrounded by loved ones, and in the end, its our entire family that feels the effects of this devastating loss. - Crystal did not ask for this disease. She wasn't born this way. She wanted to get clean more than anything, but even her strong-willed, stubborn self couldn't escape this enemys grasp. - We choose to remember Crystal as a fun-loving, smart, beautiful girl. She had many good friends, she loved being the center of attention, and always made people laugh. Crystal loved to sketch and write poetry. She always wanted to help the under-dog. She felt their pain and was the first person to stick up for them. We used to say that sometimes she cared too much. - Crystal leaves behind her children, Taylor and Avery; her parents Krisan and Rich LeHew and Steve Russell; her siblings, Brian Roth, Austin Russell, Brandi LeHew and Bryce LeHew; her grandparents Charles and Merry Ransier, Tim Roth, and Robert and Sandy Keoppen; her great-grandfather Otis Lull; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. - A celebration of Crystals life will be held on Saturday, December 19th at 1:30 pm at Abundant Life Fellowship (203 2nd Street Chewelah). A memorial fund has been set up at the Banner Bank in Chewelah.
