Mary Theresa Wood Adams, 85, of Jasper, TN died Saturday, August 12, 2006 after a long battle with Stroke and Parkinson's Disease. She never lost her courage, dignity or sense of humor in the nine years she fought this fight and was an inspiration to all who knew her.
Mrs. Adams was preceded in death by her parents Thomas Shirley and Theresa Deakins Wood; brother, James Wayman Wood; husband, John O. Adams; son-in-law, Don Curtis and brother in heart, John W. Layne.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Marilyn and Larry Billingsley of Jasper; granddaughter, Sharon Curtis Roderick of Glasgow, Kentucky; grandsons, Nathan Billingsley of Kimball, Gabe Billingsley and Jake Billingsley both of Jasper; great-grandsons, Josh Gravitt, Ross Roderick, Holden Billingsley and Colby Billingsley; brother-in-law, Ross S. Adams of Fort Worth, TX; nephews, J. Michael Wood, Tommy Wood, Price Wood and Houston Wood; cousins, James B. Roberson, Phila Patton and Blanche Boudreau; extended family, Joy M. McNabb of Fort Myers Beach, Florida, Jane Jones of Harrison Bay, Tennessee, Kaydean Smith of Jasper, and Ruth Bokum of Fort Myers Beach, Florida.
Mary Theresa or Mary T. as some knew her, grew up in Jasper and attended MCHS where she discovered her love of music and singing. Her mother, Mrs. Tress Wood sent her to Brenau Academy for her senior year. After completion she attended Brenau College, graduating when she was 20 years old. She began her teaching career in Willard, Ohio, the home of some of her college friends. After teaching for two years in Ohio to gain some experience away from friends and family, she moved to Nashville, TN and worked at Consolidated Vultee during the Second World War. Following the war, she worked at the Jewish YMCA in Nashville. During this period she met my father, John Adams, a Texan and Marine Veteran. They were married September 7, 1947 and moved back to Jasper. Her career at MCHS began in 1950 and she retired in 1989.
In addition to teaching, she was Cheerleader sponsor, Junior and Senior Class sponsor, taught Junior and Senior Glee Club, held Field Day, Red Cross Bloodmobiles for students, Pep Rallies and anything else that was asked of her. From her Anatomy and Physiology class, she and several students were invited each year to the UT and Oak Ridge Science Symposiums. It gave her great pleasure to send may of her students into the medical professions. Mother also managed to do the Heart Fund and associated fundraisers, Church Choir, MYF and Sunday School teacher, Girl Scout leader and Camp Glancy Day Camp Director for 20 some odd years and many more things I can't recall.
My mother was a doer. If it needed to be done, get Mrs. Adams. After retiring from MCHS, when not traveling with her friends or family, she returned and did Pep Rallies, Field Days and Homecoming until she was 77 years old. It was at the 1997 Homecoming that she had her first in a series of many strokes. The entire family felt it was fitting that it happened doing what she loved at the school she had served for so long.
Funeral services for Mrs. Adams will be conducted from the Jasper Chapel of Rogers Funeral Home on Monday, August 14, 2006 at 1:00 PM CDT with Reverend David Harr and Reverend Meg Poister officiating. Interment will be in Pine Grove Cemetery in Jasper.
The family will receive friends at Rogers Funeral Home in Jasper on Sunday, August 13, 2006 from 12-8 PM and Monday, August 14, 2006 from 11 AM until service time.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to McKendree United Methodist Church Choir, P.O. Box 176, Jasper, TN 37347 or American Heart Fund, 519 E. 4th Street, Chattanooga, TN 37403 or Hospice of Chattanooga, 4355 Hwy. 58, Suite 101, 58 Commons Building, Chattanooga, TN 37416 or a charity of your choice.