Merri Brien

Merri Beth Brien, 24, passed away on Thursday, September 23, 2021 at St. Vincent Hospital in Billings, Montana.

She was born October 29, 1996 in Crow Agency, Montana, the oldest twin girl born to Rebecca Big Man and Edward Brien Sr. She was a member of the Big Lodge clan and a child of the Big Lodge clan. Her Apsáalooke name Deaxkaash Aliianneetaa Lawish / Eagle That Walks Along The Road was given to her by her grandmother Gladyce Brien.

She was raised in Crow Agency, Montana, and received her early education at Crow Agency Public School.

Her Godparents were Ben Big Man and Lovern Takes Horse and adopted dad Marlin Cloud.

She is preceded in death by her partner Roman Bell Rock; maternal great-great-grandparent, John (Louella) Wilson, and Max (Cordelia) Big Man; paternal great-great-grandparents, Franklin (Mae) House, Harry (Sarah) Don’t Mix, and Lucy Cummins; maternal great-grandparents, Benjamin Big Man Sr., Frances Fallsdown, Annie, Pearl and Myrtle Bigman, Edgar, Mike and Arthur Bigman, Ivan Wilson, Rosie Fry, Arlene and John WIlson Jr.; paternal great-grandmothers, Myers and Rosabelle (House) Fighter, Emma Don’t Mix, and Clarence Brien; maternal grandparents, Roberta Big Man and Earl Rock, Tsianina “Susie” Bigman Springfield; paternal grandmothers, Harry and Bugsy Springfield, Robert Brien, Ricky, Norman and Arnold Fighter; and her brother, Varin Brien.

She is survived by her parents, Rebecca Big Man and Edward (Alferdene) Brien Sr.; her children, Gabrielle Mae, Brian Lydale, twins Sarah Paulette and Blessings Xaviar and Terrin Coy, and Jayden KnowsHisGun Brien; her maternal great-grandmother, Beverly Wilson Charges Strong, Pauline Wilson-McDonald, Lawrence Wilson; her paternal great-grandmother, Mary Helen (Alex) Medicine Horse, Raymond and Bruce (Agatha) House, Fannie (Kenneth) Plenty, Mary (Edward) Iron, Ronnie Bruce Eastman; her paternal grandparents, Gladyce and Woodrow Brien, Elizabeth and Shirley FIghter, Mae and Lourie Smith, Paul House, Elizabeth (Earl) Old Chief, Susian (Aaron) Red Star, Mary Springfield, Myra Gros Ventre; maternal grandparents: Lorrie (Eric Brien) Big Man, Karen (Billy Ray) Eastman, Benjamin (Emily) Big Man Jr.; her aunts, Emily (Ben Jr.) Big Man, Unice (Rhett) Bowers, Alice Fighter, Emma (Ron) Rides Horse, Katrina and Olivia Davies, Bobbi Schenderline, Chantel Alden, Mary Rock Big Man, Sarah Hawk, Luella Brien, Tammy (Robin) Standick, Ashley and Emma Big Man, Maureen (Lewellyn) Dawes and Miriam Eastman; her uncles, Myers Sr. (Vera), Travis Sr. (Tammy) and Norman Brien, Landon Old Chief, the Springfield brothers, Jon (Tia) Fighter, Kindal Old Horn, Zachary FIghter, Lance and David (Nina) Big Man, Eric Leland Bigman Brien, Aaron (Misty) Brien, Billy Jr. and Geoffrey (Tamara) Eastman, Jeffery (Angel) Grisham; her sisters, Adeliea (Kevin Sr.) Monroy, her twin Naomi (Lionel) Big Man, Saphara Little Nest, Mae Little Light, Veronica and Roberta Big Man, Reanna Bouyer, Valerie and Marshiah Big Man, Sarai Curlew, Tamara (Ammon) Pretty Paint, Danielle (Daidrian) Old Elk, Bailey, Marshea and Varina Brien, and Harper Hugs, Shyanna Cree Wilson, Delainie LaForge, Priscilla Nomee, Camille Gutierrez, Lynette American Horse and Bernadette Should Blade and Fray Jefferson; her brothers, Edward Jr. (Ferna), Christian (Candace), Jacinto, WoodyJo, Daniel, Myers Jr, Travis Jr., Armando, Deon, Jake, Marcus, Genesis and James Brien, Jo (Martha) Big Man, Arthur, Benjamin and Mark Big Man, Julien Hawk, Alvah and Eric Curlew, Robert Little Light, Gary, David Jr, and Amare Big Man, Vincent (Zippy) Walks, Daniel Litzinger, Trey Elk Shoulder and Shay Don’t Mix; and her close friends, Duke and Priscilla.

Her extended families include the Big Man, Brien, Wilson, Charges Strong, Rock, Fighter, Beads Don’t Mix, House, Stray Calf, Springfield, Cummins, Dawes, Pretty Paint, Big Medicine, Spotted Horse, Three Irons, Whiteman, Black Eagle, Ten Bear, Yellowtail, Eastman, Brightwings, Gros Ventres, the descendants of Beaver Muskrat, and Mae Fog in the Morning’s Rocky Boy family.

Please forgive us if we have forgotten to mention you during our time of grief.

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