Adrian Lee Brigham

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If there was anyone who cared and that you could count on, it would have to be Adrian Lee Brigham. She was a warm hearted and well liked individual, and these wonderful qualities came easily to her because she was such an amiable woman, someone who was always making certain that those around her had whatever they needed.

She was the daughter of Georgia Davis and Greenberry Chaney. Adrian was raised in the quaint town of Covert, MI (Bulldog for life!). During her childhood she was thoughtful and respectful. Adrian was an obedient child who never once argued with her only sister Barbara. She found it easy to show empathy and to perform kind acts for others. This would become part of Adrian's personality throughout her life.

Adrian enjoyed games and activities with her family, such as checkers, war, jacks and running through the cool white sand dunes near Lake Michigan. Adrian was the youngest of nine. Her siblings were Joseph Hill, Willie Frank Davis, Earlis Davis, Leon Davis, Billy Davis, Sylvester Davis, and Barbara Davis. They cared deeply for one another.

Adrian was always enthusiastic about new adventures. One thing Adrian will certainly be remembered for is that, when she got up in the mornings, she was ready to rise and shine. As a young girl, Adrian was an active child. In her spare time she liked riding her bike and playing outside. In high school, Adrian took part in volleyball and cheerleading.

For Adrian, the school routines were never a problem and she generally liked structure. She seemed to be able to start a project and work right through to its completion, and she was able to do it efficiently. Adrian was also adept at details, very observant and more often than not was quick at picking up new skills. One of her most memorable achievements in school was being a straight A student. She graduated from Covert High School in 1969. She enjoyed some courses more than others, history being her favorite.

College can be a challenge, but Adrian was set on succeeding. Adrian was a first generation college student, something she was incredibly proud of. She had a knack for staying focused and on track no matter what was going on around her. Adrian had the ability to work undisturbed through all of the constant interruptions that are a part of college life. Adrian used the skills she'd already learned and applied them to her college courses. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from Western Michigan University in 1974. She later went on to receive a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and even worked on her doctorate for a short time. Her favorite course was African American History.

Stability was important to Adrian and she made every effort to maintain it with her family. Adrian was blessed with four children, Dana, Charlotte, Charlene, and Raymond. She was also blessed with nine grandchildren and one great grandchild, Jalen, Elijah, Noakh, Kylie, Makiydah, Eden, Na'im, Ezra, Cash, and her great granddaughter Aminah.

Taking her work seriously came naturally to Adrian, and she expected the same from those around her. Adrian was an excellent team player and builder with a constant drive to improve. She was dedicated and hardworking. Adrian was an Educator. She taught every age group from pre-k to adult Ed and from all different backgrounds. She was the first African American principal at Gull Road Elementary where her goal was to empower students in taking ownership of their behavior and providing them with mentorship. She brought integrity to her work environment, doing what was necessary in order to assist children to be their best, while always maintaining respect for her colleagues. Although Adrian was an educator, her focus was the whole child and she understood the importance of their involvement in extra curricular areas outside the classroom.

Adrian’s keen interest in various challenges that affected the lives of others led her to become actively involved in professional and community organizations. Because she worked well with people, Adrian did her fair share of volunteer work. And she wouldn’t shy away from taking the lead on committees and events, or taking on additional responsibilities either. She was a born list maker and great at creating. Throughout her years, Adrian was an active member of the Covert Education Association where she served as a Vice President and President. Other organizations included Van Buren County Education Association Bargaining team with a role as an advocate for teachers, Yearbook Staff Advisor for Covert, Covert Prom Committee lead organizer, B.O.S.S. the Movement Program Coach, Multi-Cultural Committee in Las Vegas, Member of Michigan Reading Association, Member of Council for Social studies, St. Basil Booster Club President, Upward Bound resident coordinator and teacher. She also Mentored at Christian Life Center.

Adrian was the kind of person who would readily move into action in order to help. She was appreciated and well respected. She was passionate about her values and beliefs. So it’s little wonder that she was highly valued by those in her community, serving as a cheerleading coach, a girls’ basketball coach, leader for Boy Scouts of America and a leader for Girls Campfire.

Her high moral standards and traditional values served Adrian well with her faith. Christianity was important to her. She was a member of Christian Life Center in Michigan for 10 years and Vegas Christian Center here in Las Vegas. She was cherished because she sought to lend a hand in any manner she could.

A generous and compassionate woman, Adrian accomplished much during her lifetime. Though she never set out to gain individual recognition, Adrian was recognized and given numerous awards for her many and varied efforts throughout her life.

Adrian retired, as an elementary school principal in Michigan in 2004. After relocating in retirement she began teaching again in the state of Nevada; retiring a second time in 2017. Adrian enjoyed the warmer climate, the sunny weather and being closer to her children. In retirement, she also loved reading, discovered yoga and enjoyed Sunday family dinners.

Adrian passed away on December 30, 2019 at 6:31pm in Las Vegas, Nevada. Adrian courageously fought a battle with lupus and dementia. She fought hard until the very end. Although she was in pain, most days still kept a smile on her face. She is survived by her children Dana Middleton, Charlotte Brigham, Charlene Brigham, and Raymond Brigham; her grandchildren and great grandchild; her siblings Barbara, Roosevelt, Billy and Sylvester. Services were held at Palm Northwest Mortuary.

Adrian was a down to earth person, outgoing and classy. She was without question the type of person who enjoyed continuously learning. Adrian was a leader and stood for justice. She applied good reasoning and made fair decisions. She was practical and sensible, but what friends and family will remember her for most is the fact that she was a kind and genuine person. Adrian smiled easily and shared jokes and laughter with everyone around her. She has forever touched many lives and her life was a true gift to those around her. She has left a legacy of resilience and everyone will miss her. Adrian’s memory will live on forever through the love she so easily gave to her family, friends and all the many students she nurtured, taught and cared for.

Romans 8:31-39 Living Bible (TLB)

31 What can we ever say to such wonderful things as these? If God is on our side, who can ever be against us? 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son for us but gave him up for us all, won’t he also surely give us everything else?

33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? Will God? No! He is the one who has forgiven us and given us right standing with himself.

34 Who then will condemn us? Will Christ? No! For he is the one who died for us and came back to life again for us and is sitting at the place of highest honor next to God, pleading for us there in heaven.

35 Who then can ever keep Christ’s love from us? When we have trouble or calamity, when we are hunted down or destroyed, is it because he doesn’t love us anymore? And if we are hungry or penniless or in danger or threatened with death, has God deserted us?

36 No, for the Scriptures tell us that for his sake we must be ready to face death at every moment of the day—we are like sheep awaiting slaughter; 37 but despite all this, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ who loved us enough to die for us. 38 For I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can’t, and life can’t. The angels won’t, and all the powers of hell itself cannot keep God’s love away. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, 39 or where we are—high above the sky, or in the deepest ocean—nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of God demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ when he died for us.