Mary Alice Adams

Obituary For Mary Alice Adams

Mary Alice Jones Adams was born on December 8, 1928, to her parents, Moses Jones and Minnie Lee Corker Jones, in Quitman, Brooks County, Georgia.

She matriculated in the Brooks County School System and graduated from Brooks County High School in 1945. She was the last surviving member of the Class of 1945. After high school, she married Turner Blalock Adams, Jr.

She, along with her siblings, attended Bethel A.M.E. Church in Quitman, Georgia. Mary maintained her membership at Bethel throughout her lifetime. As an active member, she served on many church ministries and auxiliaries: the Trustee Board, Sarah Allen Women’s Missionary Society, and the Culinary Committee. She prepared breakfast for the Sunday School children every Sunday. She held leadership positions by being Secretary of the Trustee Board, President of the Sarah Allen Women’s Missionary Society, and later their Treasurer. Toward the end of her life, she was appointed Trustee Emeritus. She was also Area Chairperson for the South Georgia Annual Conference Women’s Missionary Society.
She also served as Coordinator for The American Red Cross for Bethel. Under her leadership, Bethel was chosen as an emergency evacuation site for disaster relief. In addition, she was a Zeta Amicae for the Mu Iota Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

At the beginning of Mary’s career, she worked in domestic service. She was determined to elevate her standing in life and worked in multiple roles at J. B. Stevens Funeral Home and Dry Cleaners. She also worked as an insurance agent for Atlanta Life Insurance Company. After over thirty years of dedicated service, Mary retired as a seamstress from Levi Strauss in Valdosta, Georgia. In retirement, she continued her education in the field of business at Valdosta Area Technical College.

Throughout her life, Sister Adams received numerous awards and commendations. Some of which include the following: Zeta Amicae of the Year (1989), President's Award for South Georgia Conference Women's Missionary Society (2000), Amicae Woman of the Year - Mu Iota Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. (2001), Bethel A.M.E. Woman of the Year (2004), Bethel A.M.E., Outstanding Faithful Service (2009), Bethel A.M.E. Outstanding Service to Church School (2009), Outstanding Georgia Citizen (2018), and Special Commendation from the Sarah Allen Women's Missionary Society (2019).

She was preceded in death by her parents, Moses Jones and Minnie Lee Corker Jones; three siblings, Mattie Jones, Louise Jones, and Weedom Jones; and firstborn son, Eric Jerome Adams.

Her sister, Cherry Lee Jones Beal, had been her best friend since childhood and that unbreakable bond continued throughout their lives.

Mama had a spirit of hospitality and exhibited this through thoughtful gestures. Whether it was cooking a meal, sending flowers, or writing greeting cards, she made sure loved ones knew she was thinking of them. In addition to her love of family, Mama had an affinity for beautiful flowers, gardening, game shows, court TV, and good old westerns.

On Sunday, July 7, 2024, at approximately 6:00PM, surrounded by her family, Mary peacefully entered the presence of the Lord.

Family members left to cherish and continue her legacy are her children, Linda (Curtis) Davis of Lithonia, GA, Mary Adams of Riverdale, GA, Lawrence Adams of Anchorage, AK, June (Larry) McKinnie of Lithonia, GA, Caroline Adams of Macon, GA, Veronica (Eddie) Yon of Tallahassee, FL, and Priscilla Adams of Locust Grove, GA; sister, Cherry Lee Beal of Glendale, AZ; special adopted son, Calvin Davis of Quitman, GA; grandchildren, Erica Adams of Fresno, CA, David (Chantal) Adams of Montclair, NJ, Travis Thomas of Bunkie, LA, Dameko Adams of Oahu Island, HI, Michael Davis of Lithonia, GA, Ciji (Phillip) Smith of Richmond, CA, Christopher (Taylor) Allen of Bend, OR, Justin McKinnie of Tucker, GA, Veresia Yon of Ridgeland, MS, Eddie (Elizabeth) Yon III of Tallahassee, FL, Evan Yon of Tallahassee, FL, and Ethan Yon of Tallahassee, FL; seven great-grandchildren; nephew, Lloyd Beal of Goodyear, AZ; niece, Joyce (Jim) Staehle of Peoria, AZ; two special friends, Jacqueline Shelton and Gwendolyn Wooten; and a host of other relatives, friends, and loved ones.

Visitation will be Sunday, July 14, 2024 at the Stevens-McGhee chapel from 2PM-6PM.

Home going services will be Monday, July 15, 2024 at 12PM at Bethel AME Church with Presiding Elder Hayward White, Sr., eulogist. Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. Visit this website or our Stevens-McGhee Funeral Home Facebook page to view a livestream of the celebration.

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