Charles Ballard Adams Sr., 84, left this earth on September 8, 2024 following a courageous fight with Alzheimer’s. He was surrounded with the love of many of his family members as he gained his eternal reward.
Charles was born on December 25, 1939 to Anson Charles “Harvey” and Mildred Adams. His mother often told her grandchildren that Santa Claus brought him. Each of his parents preceded him in death.
After graduating from Tupelo High School in 1957, Charles began school at Itawamba Junior College studying drafting. However, he’d been stricken by a young lady who was destined to be his wife, so he gave up the college life for a full-time job with Blue Bell, Inc., makers of Wrangler jeans. Charles was a natural mechanic, and he built his career with Blue Bell on his mechanical abilities as a sewing machine and plant facilities mechanic. Throughout his career, he became a teacher, trainer, and manager to others. After his time with Blue Bell/Wrangler, he worked for the Henry I Siegel Company in Belmont, and finished out his career with Tiffin Door where he worked until his retirement in October, 2014.
Having already mentioned his being stricken by a young lady when they first met in 1956, Charles Adams and Beckie Kingsley of the Auburn community were married on February 9, 1958. During their sixty-six years of marriage, they lived in six different cities, thirteen different houses, and still managed to raise three sons, Chuck (Cathy) Adams of Saltillo, Mississippi, Kevin (Michelle) Adams of Florence, Alabama, Anson (Rayanne) Adams of Pontotoc, Mississippi and one daughter, Allyson Adams Russell of Belmont, Mississippi. They also had the joy of sharing their love with their eight grandchildren, Erica Adams (husband Luke Hayes), Elizabeth Adams Graham (Sean), Rachel Adams Stovall (Slater), Reid Adams, Anna Butler Wallace (Andrew), Merilese Adams Nance (Jack), Katherine Adams and Rian Russell and special great-niece, Jessica Kingsley. Over more recent years, they’ve shared in the joy of having great-grandchildren, Finley and Eliza Hayes, Oliver Graham, Beckett and Sutton Stovall, Ava and Baker Wallace, and Charlie and Walter Nance.
Charles was an active member of the Liberty Church of Christ in Dennis, Mississippi until his battle with Alzheimer’s became more challenging. His faith was his stronghold for him and his family and he served the Lord in various ways throughout his Christian walk; as deacon, as elder, as youth leader and teacher, and was also an accomplished congregational song leader. Not only did his ability to fix things get handed down to his children, each of them having stated that he could diagnose a car problem over the phone, his example of serving in the church did as well, as each of his children have followed his example in many ways with their church families.
Visitation will be Tuesday, September 10, 2-4 p.m. at Second Street Church of Christ in Belmont, Mississippi. The memorial service will follow at 4 p.m. with David Conley and Jimmy Moody officiating. Deaton Funeral Home, Belmont, MS will be in charge of arrangements.
The family wishes to share special thanks to the team of caregivers at Gentiva Hospice, Frank’s House nurses and staff at the Greenhouses of Traceway in Tupelo, and nurses and staff at The Meadows in Fulton. Each of these teams have gained special places in the hearts of the family over the last two years, and the family is forever grateful.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations to Pine Vale Children’s Home in Corinth, MS or to the American Alzheimer’s Association.
Although we are each heartbroken by our loss, we are also thankful in knowing that there was a celebration and much singing with our Dad, and Pops when he went home to be with the Lord.
