Maria Ann Russell Big Fire, age 67, of Lame Deer

Maria Anne Russell Bigfire (Voestanoehne’e) White Buffalo Calf Woman was born on May 28, 1954 to Clifford Russell Sr and Virginia Kingfisher. Maria was a Chiefs Child of the Chiefs Society. She was also a Descendent of Rising Sun, whom fought General Custer. She adopted and raised by Lee and Gladys Old Mouse in her early years, she was raised in the log house with Laretha Rising Sun, Ronnie Big Back and Marie Big Back. Maria grew up in Busby and attended Busby High school where she graduated in 1972, she later attended Chief Dull Knife College majoring in Law Enforcement/Criminal Justice. She was also a Alumni of MSU-Bozeman & University of Montana in Missoula. Go Griz  
Maria and Henry “Hank” Big fire through the good and bad, both made a home of 40 years in Lame Deer MT with their family. 
Maria had a lot of experience in numerous background throughout life. She was a Assistant Tribal Secretary for the Northern Cheyenne Tribe in 1975, later on she was an Executive Secretary for the Northern Cheyenne Community Development Corporation in 1976-78. She was a Dispatcher and Driver for the Northern Cheyenne Ambulance Service in 1978-80, She worked in the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Courts in 1981-82 as a Court Clerk. In 1985 Maria worked in dispatch for the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Police at the same time she was driving for the Northern Cheyenne Ambulance Service. In 1986-88 Maria worked as a Shift Supervisor for The Northern Cheyenne Ambulance Service. Later on 1992 She worked in Social Services for the Northern Cheyenne Tribe. Maria was a retired federal judge she worked for the court for many years and was a big part in amending the law and order code for the better of her people. She was the tribal judge and Chief Prosecutor. In recent years she began a career in the paralegal services, helping people with their legal matters. 
Maria had three beautiful children Regene Patricia Shields, Michelle Lee Spotted Wolf, Terry Lee Spotted Wolf Jr. She also had children she took and loved as her own sons & daughter Corey Grant Spotted Elk, Robert “Norb” McLean, Clayton Mason Sr and Terry “JR” Spotted Wolf & Angel(Robert) Bearchum 
Maria enjoyed being around her family, mainly her grandkids whom she was around daily, she enjoyed taking trips to town or she would always go to the Amish in Ashland. You could always catch her picking berries or wild turnips with her grandsons when they were ready. She sure loved her Denver Broncos. She loved to cook and cooked for everyone and helped anyone in need, that just the heart Maria had. She enjoyed her downtime at the Charging Horse casino playing machines or bingo. She loved to eat her clay, as well. She learned a lot in life, she got really good at cutting dry meat and cooking menudo. These were the simple things she’s come to love and enjoy, and the memories she made doing these things.
Her grandchildren whom she helped raised and loved dearly included Chrisman Spotted Wolf, Ian Bixby (Ruthie), Colin Fox-Noel Spotted Wolf, Raelei, Terryn, Rozzlei, Terry III, Deidre. Jaissa, Sossity, Brezhon, Mariah, Madison, Kalem & Larenzo Roanbear. Her great grand children are Jailani Anessa , Jackson Cruz, Isabella and Tim Jr.
Her Nieces and Nephews include Rossalyn Russell, Haroldine Fisher-Going (Tony), Sheri Bigback Bement, Precious and Angel Russell, Marty Bigback, Bobby Bigback, Clifford “Babyson” Russell III, Collins Ray Russell, Cameron Russell Sr.
Her siblings are Ivan Russell Estelle Armentrout, Clifford Russell Jr., Alfreda Russell, Cyndi Bigback, Ronnie Bigback, Joyce Threefingers, Melvin Miller, John Bean, Esther Littlewolf and Nellie Whiteshield, and Roger (Verna) Oldmouse.
She had a special relationship with numerous relatives that included Rebecca Bigfire Elkshoulder, Lucy Bigfire Rave, Denise American Horse, Elizabeth Hiwalker, Lavonda Hiwalker.
Preceding in death her grandparents John Russell Sr and Alice Rising Sun, her parents Clifford Russell Sr and Virginia Kingfisher. Her siblings Estelle Armentrout, Clifford Russell Jr, Ivan Russell and Alfreda Russell. Nieces Mandy Russell, April Medicine Horse, Nephews include Fred Walker IV, Leejay Bigback and her one and only “Sonny” Terry L Spotted Wolf, and Roger Old Mouse.
Families include Russell, Spotted Wolf, Big Back, Little Wolf, King, Killsontop, Bigfire, Bixby, Killsontop, Bear Robe, Brady, Littlesun, Hiwalker, Little Wolf, Littlewhiteman, and Whiteshield, and Risingsun. Our families are large, so we apologize if we left anyone out.

Service Schedule

Traditional Wake

7:00 PM

Thursday April 14, 2022

Morning Star Baptist Church

Lame Deer, Montana 59043

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Funeral Service

11:00 AM

Friday April 15, 2022

Morning Star Baptist Church

Lame Deer, Montana 59043

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Interment

Following the Funeral Service

Friday April 15, 2022

Allison Bixby Memorial Gardens

Lame Deer, Montana 59043

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