Sandra Mae (Adams) Shanta, age 46, of Mescalero, NM formerly of Poplar, MT passed away December 30, 2010 in Mescalero.
Sandra, the daughter of Clarence P. Adams and Loretta Mae (Abraham) Adams, was born May 15, 1964 in Poplar. She graduated from high school in Brockton, MT and went on to college at the Montana State University in Bozeman, MT. While there, she was chosen to be a foreign exchange student to attend school in Paris, France.
On December 31, 1986 she married Charles “Buffy” Shanta Jr. in Poplar, Montana. She then moved to Mescalero, NM where she resided for the last 25 years.
Sandra worked for the Mescalero Apache Tribal Courts as the Children Court Clerk and Recorder for 11 years. She also was involved with other programs for the tribe and was currently retired.
Sandra had a big heart; she was always willing to help out someone in need. She enjoyed teaching the traditional ways to anyone that would listen, whether it was at home or on the powwow trail. Sandra also enjoyed attending powwows and she was a champion traditional dancer. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Poplar.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Loretta Adams; and a brother, Leo Walking Eagle.
Sandra is survived by her husband of 25 years, Charles “Buffy” Shanta Jr., of Mescalero; and sons, Buffy “Crazy Horse” Shanta and Jarod T. Chico both of Mescalero.
A prayer service will be held 7-9 p.m. Thursday, January 6, at the Jim Blackdog Activity Center in Fort Kipp, MT. A funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Friday, January 7, also at the Jim Blackdog Activity Center in Fort Kipp. Interment will follow at the Fort Kipp Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.stevensonandsons.com. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.