Ruth Bilyeu Adams, age 92, of Springfield, passed away Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at Alive Hospice in Nashville. Funeral services will be conducted at 2pm Sunday, October 25th in the chapel of the Austin & Bell Funeral Home in Springfield with Bro. George Hardy officiating. A private family burial service will follow in the Oakland Cemetery with Robert Shearer, Terry Duncan, Tim Hickey, Adam Duncan, Gary Webster and Bob Bell serving as pallbearers.
The family will receive friends from 12 – 2pm Sunday at the funeral home.
Ms. Adams was born September 20, 1934, in Russellville, KY to the late Will and Edna Pearl Bilyeu. She loved her family, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren dearly. Ms. Adams and her son Bo were honored earlier this year by the Robertson County Historical Society for their commitment to Robertson County history, with their donation of their time, antiques and memorabilia collections. They were awarded a proclamation by Robertson County’s Representative in the Tennessee House of Representatives, Dr. Sabi Kumar. She was a member of Springfield Baptist Church.
In addition to her parents, Ms. Adams was preceded in death by her husband, William Bradley Adams, Sr.; a great granddaughter, Rosey Lynn Blakeley; brothers, Tommy Bilyeu and James Bilyeu; and sisters, Louise Shaeffer and Wanda Keith.
She is survived by her son, William Bradley “Bo” Adams, Jr.; daughters, Sherry Lynn (Dr. Robert) Shearer and Pamela Ruth (Terry) Duncan; grandchildren, Summer (Patrick) Blakeley, Robert Dallas Shearer, Robert Adam (Sarah) Duncan and Tim (Taryn) Hickey; great grandchildren, Ella Rose Blakeley, Collins Claire Hickey, Timothy “Duncan” Hickey and Miller Wright Hickey; sisters, Jean Rwls and Shirley Carroll; sisters-in-law, Patsy (Carl) Dorris, Judy Clinard and Mary Jo Lickletter; and several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to send a special thanks and love to Gary Webster, Pat and Carl Dorris, Judy Clinard, Chastity Welch, Janet Palmore, Carol Bell, Dr. Matt Browning, Nikki Mooreland, Mel Carr, George and Theresa Hardy, the members of Springfield Baptist Church and the Robertson County Historical Society for their love and continued care and support.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Springfield Baptist Church, 400 N Main Street, Springfield, TN 37172 or by visiting www.springfield-baptist.com
Austin & Bell Funeral Home in Springfield is in charge of these arrangements.
