Source: http://www.lewisfuneralhome.biz/obituaries/Mary-Ernie-Adams-35736/#!/Obituary

Mary “Ernie” Adams

Mary Ernestine ‘Ernie’ Adams, age 78, of Magnolia, Arkansas died Monday, April 26 2010, at Magnolia Health and Rehabilitation Center. Born August 17, 1931 in Belmont, Louisiana in Sabine Parish to Bill and Ella Wyatt, she was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 56 years Joe Peyton Adams in 2008 and her son Gary Wayne Adams in 1990. She was also preceded in death by her sisters Loretta Ruth and Polly Crowe and parents-in-law James and Lea Adams of Nebo, Louisiana.

She is survived by her sons Rusty Adams and his wife Candy of Magnolia, Arkansas, and Darrel Adams and his wife Rhonda of Magnolia, Arkansas. She is also survived by her grandchildren Shane Adams and his wife Sheri of Magnolia, Arkansas, Heather Adams Chandler and her husband Kyle of Benton, Arkansas and Josh Adams and his wife Lacey of Fayetteville, Arkansas. Her great-grandchildren are Peyton Adams of Magnolia, Braden Waller and Madeline Chandler of Benton, and Grayson Adams of Fayetteville. She is survived by sisters Ginger Garms and her husband Fred of Louisville, Kentucky, and Doris Lewis and her husband David of Shreveport, Louisiana. She is also survived by brothers-in law Bill Ruth of Laurel, Mississippi, Don Adams and his wife Betty of Winnsboro, Louisiana, and sisters-in-law Rita Smith of West Monroe, Louisiana, and Lena Proctor of Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Nieces and nephews include Becky Ruth Sanville, Edward Ruth, Stacy Ruth, Allison Garms Morris, Mike Alexander, Jeff Alexander, Tommy Johnson and Chris Johnson, Terry Adams, Melvin Campbell, Sandy McDonald, Michelle Dougherty, Becky Hurt, Phil Proctor, Steve Proctor, Danny Proctor, Scotty Adams, Vicki Adams and Jamie Adams. She leaves a host of treasured friends.

Ernie left home the day after graduating from high school at the age of 17 and moved to Shreveport, Louisiana to attend school at Elliott School of Business. Ernie and Joe were introduced on a blind date arranged by mutual friends following his return from World War II service. They lived in Shreveport and Monroe, Louisiana, where they became parents to three boys. In 1966, Joe and Ernie purchased Magnolia Glass & Mirror Company and moved their family to Magnolia, Arkansas.

Ernie was the eldest of five girls and assumed the cooking responsibilities for the family at an early age. As a preteen, she would stand on a chair to reach the top of the stove to cook. As an adult, she knew everyone's favorite dishes and each meal included at least one of each guest's favorites. She rarely used a recipe and could prepare a meal for 30 people with very little notice. Her kitchen was the gathering place for her family and extended family for many years. She and Joe raised a garden that fed numerous families so the meals consisted of many fresh vegetables. Besides her kitchen skills, Ernie had a green thumb. Her flower gardens were immaculate. In fact, the Adams received Columbia County's ‘Yard of the Week’ award because of their outdoor efforts.

Our Lord and Savior empowered Ernie with the gift of service and it was evident in her daily walk. She loved the Lord, her family and her friends. She was a prayer warrior. She will be missed by all those who were blessed to know her.

Visitation will be Tuesday, April 27 at 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Lewis Funeral Home in Magnolia. Funeral service is scheduled for Wednesday, April 28 at 2 p.m. at Lewis Funeral Home Chapel in Magnolia with nephew Steve Proctor and Brother Steve Ford officiating. The interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Lewis Funeral Home of Magnolia.

The family wishes to thank Dr. John Alexander, Jr. for everything he has done for Joe, Ernie and the family since Joe was stricken with viral encephalitis in 2001 and Ernie with Alzheimer's Disease. Thank you to Jeff Harrington and the staff of Magnolia Health and Rehabilitation Center. A special thanks to Ronda Paladino of LifeTouch Hospice for your enduring compassion for Ernie and the family. Also to Magnolia Regional Medical Center staff. We are blessed to have these superior professionals in Magnolia.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons Shane Adams and Josh Adams; brother-in-law Fred Garms; and nephews Mike Alexander, Chris Johnson, Scotty Adams, John McDonald and Adam Alexander.

Memorials may be made to LifeTouch Hospice, Alzheimer's Association or the charity of the donor's choice. www.lewisfuneralhome.biz