Jessie "Marie" Adams

Consistent with her habit of rising early in the morning, Marie passed away peacefully at 5:45 a.m. on December 6th, just a few weeks before her 91st birthday, following an unexpected bout of bronchitis. A life-long resident of the Porterville area, Marie was born on January 31, 1922. She was the first of eight children born to Joseph and Pearl Doyel. The family lived on ranches in Zante, Grand View Heights, and Porterville.
Marie attended Terra Bella Elementary School. She completed Freshman and Sophomore years in Strathmore before she graduated from Porterville HS in 1940. Through her formal education she acquired a love of music, words and books. She spent many pleasurable hours throughout her life reading, working crossword puzzles, and listening to classical music.
In May 1942, Marie married Eldon Leroy Adams and moved to property near Deer Creek in the Terra Bella area, where Eldon built a new house for his bride. She lived there for the remainder of her life raising their five children and being a devoted Grandmother and Great-Grandmother. She loved being able to see the mountains from her dining room window, hearing the birds sing, and always found joy, serenity and inner strength from the familiar rhythms of Nature's daily symphony.
Marie found deep satisfaction in living a life of service to others. She was involved in numerous volunteer activities including being a 4-H leader, a proud Monache Band Parent, and a Pink Lady at Sierra View Hospital. In the mid 70s she joined the Terra Bella United Presbyterian Church and served as a lay reader, elder, and deacon. If something needed doing, she did it. She served as a greeter for church services and made newcomers and longtime members alike feel welcomed and loved. She was an active member and leader of the Presbyterian Women and cherished the times she was called to give a "Moment for Mission." She shared her faith more through her actions than her words and gave tirelessly of her time and resources to her Church and causes she supported like the Visalia Rescue Mission, Porterville Women's Shelter, Disabled Veteran's, Prison Ministry, Calvin Crest, and Toys for Tots. In every situation, she loved being able to assist people and make their day brighter. Most who met her and were touched by her joyful, giving spirit would agree that an angel walked among us.
Marie is survived by her sister Lois Wickham of Phoenix, Arizona; her brothers Dale Doyel of Marysville, Les Doyel and John Doyel of Porterville; her five children, Meg Valiquet of Reno, Nevada; David Adams of Porterville; Velma "Lou" Padilla of Yucaipa; Beverly Adams and Kathie Adams of Carpinteria; eight grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Eldon; her sister May (Doyel) Hulse, and two of her brothers, Charles Doyel and Walter Doyel.
Family Viewing will take place on Friday, December 14th from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. with a General Viewing from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Myers Funeral Service and Crematory in Porterville. The Memorial Service will be Saturday, December 15th at 11:00 a.m. at the Terra Bella United Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the charity of one's choice or one of Marie's favorite charities.