Agnes Adams

Services for Agnes Allene Alford Adams, 95, of Canadian, TX will be at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Danny Sanders, officiating. Burial will follow in Edith Ford Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Hughs Funeral Home of Canadian, TX. Agnes passed away Friday, March 29, 2013 in Canadian, TX. Agnes Allene Alford Adams was born October 4, 1917 to Millicent Allene Allen and Charles Mason Alford. After her mother died in 1918, her father married Millie’s sister Vivian. She attended Canadian schools, lettered in basketball, and graduated at the age of 16 in 1934. She was Valedictorian of her class and was very first recipient of the Liske Cup. She then attended West Texas State Teachers College from 1934 to 1938 graduating with a degree in Home Economics. She married Walter Wilson Adams of Wheeler on January 1, 1939, also in the family home in Canadian. The young couple made their early way as Walter drove trucks and worked on the railroad bridge gang. Two children later and World War II brought Walter into the Navy in 1943 and duty training recruits at Simpson Naval Training Center, where Agnes and kids joined him. They both enjoyed dancing, and were able to take a much delayed honeymoon to Niagara Falls with Charles and Linda. Agnes began teaching 5th grade in 1959 in Canadian, and retired after 22 years. She had a genuine love for teaching and for her students. In honor of her retirement, the “Agnes Adams Outdoor Learning Center” was established by fellow teacher, John McGarr. During school vacations, Agnes and Walter took numerous trips to visit many friends and relatives. Agnes was active in the First United Methodist Church, the Rebekah Lodge, Retired Teachers Association, a founding board member for the River Valley Pioneer Museum, she was a founding member of the Women’s Financial Group Investment Club, the “mom” for “her girls” in the Beta Sigma Phi Service Sorority in Canadian. She was a cancer survivor, and she helped organize the annual bike-a-thon for the American Cancer Society as well as offering support, transportation to treatments and lending equipment for local cancer patients. She was named Canadian “Woman of the Year” in 1985. In her retirement, Agnes continued to travel, especially to visit children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Agnes enjoyed reading and watching the Dallas Cowboys well into her 90’s. She loved playing dominoes (usually winning) with her family and friends, working crossword puzzles and crocheting afghans and beaded socks for her great-granddaughters. She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter on November 8, 1976 and by her son, Charles Wynn Adams on January 1, 2010. She is survived by her daughters, Linda Fox and Denise Adams both of Fort Worth, TX; Diane Norris and husband Jerel of Canadian, TX; her son, Dr. Wade Adams and wife Mert of Houston, TX; her daughter-in-law, Katrina Chang Adams of Washington, DC; her grandchildren, Dr. Carla McKelvey and husband Mark of Coos Bay, OR; Laurie Comstock and husband Jamie of Abilene, TX; Jeff Adams and wife Andrea of Portland, OR; Bryan Adams and wife April of Nashville, TN; Jimmy Fox and wife Christa of Burlington, VT; John Fox and wife Mary of Nyack, NY; Dennis Fox and wife Beth of Tappan, NY; Suzie Fox of Palisades, NY; Julie Adams and husband Richard Smith of Nashville, TN; Keri Adams and husband Matthew Stitzlein of Nashville, TN; Lisa McEntire and husband Keith of Krum, TX; Laura Walser and husband John of Canadian, TX; Jered Norris and wife Lindsay of Canadian, TX. She treasured her 22 great-grandchildren and her two great-great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials to the Agnes Adams Scholarship Fund, c/o Happy State Bank, P.O. Box 97, Canadian, TX 79014.