Sarah Gilliland Adams

SARAH AMANDA GILLILAND ADAMS



Tupelo -- SARAH AMANDA GILLILAND ADAMS - On January 21, 2013, Sarah Amanda Gilliland Adams walked thru the shadows of death with Jesus Christ and her family at her side. Her life, full of many examples of kindness and generosity, was a testament to the Holy Scriptures example of a virtuous woman found in Proverbs 31:10-31.



She was born on December 28, 1923, to Charles Thomas and Lucille Harkins Gilliland in Waddell, Mississippi, a small Clay County Community. Her early life was spent on the family farm. Her early career in education began in Pontotoc, MS after graduation from Mississippi University for Women in Columbus, MS. She later moved into the Community College System at Northwest Community College, Senatobia, MS. It was there she met and married Roy Clark Adams, a returning World War II veteran. He was later elected Highway Commissioner of the Northern District of Mississippi, a position he held for twenty years.



Together they reared four children: Senator Nancy Amanda Adams Collins (Jim), Martha Kathleen ?Kathy? Adams Cooke (Mike), Roy Clark Adams, Jr. (Linda) and Dr. John Calvin Adams (Regina).



?Mannie?, ?Miss? Amanda, or ?G.G.? as she was affectionately called, left her family a legacy of life lessons which have been tenderly preserved in the lives of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. These lessons of placing Christ in a position of honor, caring for elderly parents, cherishing each child as if they were her only one, instilling strong work ethics in children, sharing one?s talents and always opening the door of hospitality to others were the cornerstones of her life. A culmination of these life lessons along with her peaceful assurance provided a stabilizing influence in the lives of her family.



One of the most evident demonstrations of all who knew her was the prominent presence of our Lord Jesus Christ in her home. His picture was always hung near their dining table to remind her children of His presence and their need for daily prayers at meals.



She was active in her beliefs, teaching Sunday school to teens for many years at Calvary Baptist Church, the Adams family church for over sixty-four years. Her diligence and determined attitude that all her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren be brought up in the admonition of Jesus was evident throughout her life.



She possessed a giving heart and compassion for those who were not as fortunate as herself. Her friendships of the greater and the lesser were a testament of her faith and person.



She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of forty-nine years, Roy C. Adams; one brother, Charles Thomas Gilliland and two sisters, Mary Addie Gilliland Geiger and Willie Warren Gilliland Martin.



She is survived by her children; two brothers, John E. Gilliland (Ann) of Mathiston, MS and Richard D. Gilliland (Gola Mae) of Ackerman, MS; her grandchildren, Albert Adams Paxton (Christy), Dr. Amy Carslile Blossom (Benjamin), James Connor Collins, Joshua Rogan Collins, Kathryn Taylor Cooke Short, Mary Amanda Cooke Godwin (John), Emilie Arden Cooke Lewis (Edwin Henry Lewis, III), Roy Clark Adams III, Laura Paige Adams, Leslie Elizabeth Adams, Lindsey Amanda Adams, Zachery Clark Adams (Lydia); and great-grandchildren, Benjamin David Blossom Jr., Carslile Collins Blossom, Charles Adams Blossom, Ethan Andrew Short, Evelyn Meade Godwin, John Phillip Godwin Jr., Sims Bishop Godwin, Dr. Lane Baxter (Bo), Drew Napier and Tucker Napier. She also leaves her special friends and caregivers, Alice Virginia Daniels, Sharon Chandler, and Hanna, Rhonda, and Jessica Long.



Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. ? 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 25, 2013 and on Saturday morning January 26, 2013 from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. at W.E. Pegues Funeral Directors in Tupelo, Mississippi.



A private family celebration of her life will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 26, 2013 at the Jefferson Street Chapel of W. E. Pegues Funeral Home with Dr. David Eldridge officiating. A private family burial will follow at 2:30 p.m. in Iuka, Mississippi at Oak Grove Cemetery.



Pallbearers will be her grandsons and grandsons-in-law; Albert Adams Paxton, James Connor Collins Jr., Joshua Rogan Collins, Roy Clark Adams III, Zachery Clark Adams, John Phillip Godwin Jr., Edwin Henry Lewis III and Dr. Benjamin Blossom.



Memorials may be made in her honor to Sanctuary Hospice House, PO Box 2177, Tupelo, MS 38803, Le Bonheur Children?s Hospital, PO Box 42048, Memphis, TN 38174-2048 and the St. Jude Children?s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.