Gerald S. "Jerry" Adams

Gerald Smith (Jerry) Adams of 106 Woodland Way, Abbeville, passed away April 8, 2012 at home among family after a long illness. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 12, 2012 at 11 AM at Grace United Methodist Church, Abbeville. Born in Spartanburg, SC, on April 10, 1937, the son of the late Gerald and Daphne Adams, Jerry was an Eagle Scout and Order of the Arrow and a lifelong supporter of the scouting movement. He attended Spartanburg High School, where he played JV football, ran track, and performed in the concert and marching bands. Jerry was in the first Forestry Degree program at Clemson College in 1959. He completed ROTC and was a member of the Pershing Rifles drill team, which performed the silent drill at halftime of the 1959 Sugar Bowl. Upon graduation, he took his commission in the U.S. Army, trained at the Airborne School in Ft. Benning, NC, and served with the 1st Psychological Warfare Battallion in Ft. Bragg, NC. After completing his military service, he began a career in industrial engineering, primarily in the textile industry. He worked for Milliken in Spartanburg, Pendleton and Abbeville, where he settled with his family in 1968. He was later employed by General Cable, Bloomsburg Mills, and Jockey International. He was the proprietor of Adams Feed & Seed on North Main during the 1980's, and after retirement, he worked part-time at Adams Building Supply. Jerry was very active in the church. He performed missionary service in Honduras, served as junior and senior warden at Trinity Episcopal Church, was an elder at Grace Community Church, and enjoyed attending classes at Erskine Theological Seminary. Jerry was a man of many talents and interests. He was a beekeeper, master gardener, woodworker, fly fisherman, baker, actor, musician, carpenter and teacher. He volunteered with the Abbeville Community Theater, the EMS Board of Abbeville, and youth football. He is survived by his wife, Shirley Ragsdale Adams, of the home; son, Web Adams and his wife, Marianne, of Bloomfield, NJ; daughter Rebecca Branstetter and her husband, Kent, of Lawrenceville, GA; stepson Patrick Davenport and his wife, Shannon, of Due West; stepson David Davenport and his wife, Tammy, of Due West; caregiver and former daughter-in-law Trina Mitchum of Greenwood; 11 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his first wife, Linda Caldwell Adams. In his professional life, his community service, among his neighbors and especially in his extended family, Jerry created a legacy of honesty, integrity, kindness, generosity and fun which will bear fruit for generations. In lieu of flowers, donation may be sent to Reach the Children of Rwanda International (RCRI), Due West ARP Church, PO Box 397, Due West, SC 29639 or HospiceCare of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646. A message of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com HARRIS FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES is assisting the Adams family.