Our precious 104 year old mother and grandmother, Beryl Adams, peacefully left us Thursday evening, Feb. 16, 2023, only eight days before her 105th birthday. What a blessing she was to each of us! Born a twin to Minnie and Nathaniel Longenecker in Wichita, Kansas, her faith in God was her anchor throughout life.
Learning the values of faith, family and fortitude during the Depression, she was confident to explore the world upon graduating from secretarial school. Moving to Washington, D.C. for a position with Rural Electrification Association (REA), she enjoyed being a single, working woman during the late ‘30s/early ‘40s in our nation’s capital before joining the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) in 1942 when she was in the first unit of American military women to arrive in Europe during WWII spending three years in England, France and Belgium. After the war, when offered a position with REA again in D.C. or in Spokane, Washington, this curious and adventurous young woman went West! It was there that she met the love of her life, Russell Adams. After marrying and living in Oregon for a short while, they made their family home in Raymond, Washington with their son and daughter.
With a proclivity for helping others, Beryl’s volunteer work started with the Red Cross providing aid especially to military personnel. In addition to being involved on the church council and teaching Sunday School at the Presbyterian Church and later when it combined with the local Methodist Church as United Church, attending church, reading her morning devotions and helping in numerous ways with the church administration was important to her.
Spending nearly 30 years as Assistant Manager of the Employment Security Office for Pacific County, she also enjoyed playing in two bowling leagues, golfing in a women’s league, and being an active leader in parent groups that supported the local schools. A 50+ year member of Eastern Star, she and her husband enjoyed the many friendships found through their involvement in numerous local organizations. Her commitment to Kiwanis Club was as defining as her loyalty to her community. In addition to serving as president and secretary for many years, during countless summers, she ran the Kiwanis booth at the Pacific County Fair with Gloria, her daughter-in-law, because she believed in raising money to provide college scholarships for area young people.
Retiring from her paid job provided her with the chance to volunteer more hours within the community whether organizing activities for the senior citizens, assisting three different sixth grade teachers during a 30+ year volunteer stint, leading music, group singing and poetry reading at the local nursing home for 30 years, serving as a greeter at the visitor’s center, helping the Laotian children with their studies when they arrived with their refugee families, organizing weekly pinochle and bridge gatherings, and serving on the Sunday Afternoon Live board for several years where she enjoyed greeting people as they arrived for these fabulous musical performances. Most of all, Beryl was a humble worker who understood the importance of service to one’s family and community and was an inspiration to many through her dedication to making life better for others.
A life-long learner, she enjoyed traveling throughout Europe, Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean, and all 50 states with her husband, children and/or grandchildren. Despite losing her beloved husband over 30 years ago, her daily exercises, reading and attending the Willapa Methodist Church enriched her life before moving to live with her son in May 2021. Without intending to do so, she continued to teach all of us about how precious life is and how to adapt to changes that occur regularly in one’s life. Leaving her home of 70 years, she simply walked out with good memories of her time there with her family and from a town that gave her and her family so much. Grateful for each day and positive despite the circumstances, she has challenged us all to live our lives with more joy and with service to others.
She is survived by her son, Dr. James R. Adams of Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada, and her daughter, Janet Adams of Brunswick, Maine; three grandchildren: Chris Adams-Wall of Montgomery, Alabama; Thomas Adams-Wall of Hudson, Ohio and Heidi (Brett) Vergo of Edmonton, Canada; her great-granddaughter, Emma Coughlin of Edmonton, Canada, a niece, Vik Longenecker of Mesa, Arizona, and a nephew, Steve (Mary) Longenecker of Logansport, Indiana. She was predeceased by her husband, Russ Adams, her son-in-law Ed Wall, her daughter-in-law, Gloria Boyd Adams, one sister, Ruby; and brothers; Nathaniel, Clarke, and her twin brother Ray.
A celebration of life will be held on Zoom on Sunday, March 5 at 1 p.m. PST using this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86009009647?pwd=TXozZXVEYm9Uc3ZOY21NNXU5aWUzZz09
In lieu of flowers, we encourage you to contribute your talents to helping others and/or to give a donation to a charity of your choice.
