Samuel Russell Adams was born March 29, 1957 in Mobile, Alabama to the late N.Q. and Eran "Dolly" Jobe Adams. He was taken from this earth December 13, 2019 in Mobile, Alabama following a brief illness. Russ was a 1975 University Military School graduate. From 1975-1977 he attended Vanderbilt University and enjoyed the role of yearbook editor. Russ went on to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Illustration in 1981 from Parsons School of Design in New York. In 1993, he received a Master of Fine Arts degree in Dramatic Writing from New York University.
Russ served on the board of the Mobile Arts Council; he was former president of Friends of the Mobile Public Library; and a member of two local Mardi Gras societies. He loved art and would create oil paintings and illustrations not only professionally but also for friends and family.
He was a book collector and had a home library that consisted of over thirty thousand books. His home was filled with the works of local artists and friends from New York and Los Angeles along with some of his own work. Russ was known for his love of wild Hawaiian shirts, top shelf bourbon, and stupid puns.
He was a world traveler who enjoyed sharing humorous stories of his many adventures. He worked in the graphic design department at the New York Times. Later he became a self-employed graphic designer and illustrator in New York and Los Angeles.
After Russ moved back to Mobile he was an Adjunct Professor of Illustration and Graphic Design at Spring Hill College. He retired as business owner of Bienville Books located in downtown Mobile.
Left to cherish Russ's wonderful memories will be his beloved wife at heart; Ann Willis Salisbury, one sister; Laura A. Adams, three daughters and two granddaughters at heart: Christina McGugin and husband Tim, Samantha Thurston and husband Alex and daughter Eleanor, Ashley "Ali" Burns and daughter Olivia, extended family members, and mounds of wonderful friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Mobile Arts Council or Friends of the Mobile Public Library.
Graveside service for Samuel "Russ" Russell Adams will be 11:00 AM, Wednesday, December 18, 2019, on the grounds of Pine Crest Cemetery, with Reverend Bennett Wayne Dean Sr. officiating.
Following services the family will be meeting at Lafayette's Restaurant located in the Holiday Inn downtown. Everyone is welcome to join them in their remembrances of Russ.
The family will be receiving guests for visitation Wednesday, December 18, 2019 from 10:00 AM until time of service at 11:00 AM at Pine Crest Funeral Home, Mobile, Alabama.
