Loving, creative, talented, musical, artistic
“MAKE MUSIC AND MAKE HISTORY” was Russell Lee’s mantra. From his earliest years, he embraced his artistic spirit, leaving his mark on everything from paper to clothing. When he was two years old, his family would call to Russell Lee, “Dancing feet! Dancing feet!” and he would eagerly perform his moves for his captive audience. Music was Russell Lee’s passion. He not only played the piano but also created musical beats, dreaming of one day owning his own studio. He had a contagious enthusiasm for music, dance, and art, interacting with the world with an innate urge to create.
Growing up, Russell Lee received recognition for his artistic abilities. Throughout elementary, middle, and high school, he won Art Certificates and received an Honorable Mention and a Certificate of Appreciation in the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program. Later, he worked with his grandfather Fred Akins, and his stepfather Ricardo Morales, painting, remodeling, and doing construction work.
Russell Lee grew up in a large family, with two brothers — Jeremy and Nicholas Miguel, and three sisters, Amber, Magdalena, and Angelica. Russell went on many trips throughout the States with his Aunt Kathy, Uncle Ken, his cousins Brandi, Ashley and Blake Storey. Kathy, his aunt, fondly recalls a summer beach trip with Russell Lee and his Uncle Ken and his cousins, in which Russell Lee excitedly ran down the coast, back and forth. He exclaimed in disbelief, “The ocean goes on forever!” Kathy recalls another trip with her nephew, this time in Buffalo, New York. After eating dinner, they left the restaurant to find an enormous blizzard had swept through town. Russell Lee went crazy, running through the snow and making snow angels with his cousins.
Alongside Russell Lee’s vibrant spirit was a deep-seated desire to engage thoughtfully and deeply in meaningful conversations about life and the world. Jonathon Isom, a friend of Russell Lee, remarked that Russell Lee was “a very deep thinker, someone you could talk to for hours about the world and how the people in it can better themselves.” Amber, Russell Lee’s sister, echoes Jonathon, remembering all the intimate conversations she enjoyed with her brother: “Russell and I would always have a lot of deep conversations and we acted just alike.” Russell Lee’s thoughtful nature connected him intimately with those surrounding him. His friend Eden says, “To know Russell was to love him.” Diann remembers how Russell Lee used to build a fire in the firepit at home for her to come back to after a long day at work.
Substance use disorder violently changed Russell Lee’s nature. Russell Lee’s social and vibrant character withdrew, as he stopped attending family events or work. He would not seek help despite Diann’s pleas. In the wake of Russell Lee’s tragic passing, Diann works to advocate for her son and other victims of addiction, recently attending her first End Addiction Birmingham Walk. Russell Lee’s legacy of creation and connection lives on.
Russell Lee’s mother, Diann Morales, provided the information for this narrative.
July 30, 1992-August 26, 2022-Age 30
Portrait Artist: Jeremy Hebbel
Narrative Writer: Livia Cohen
