Elizabeth W. Adams

Elizabeth Wallace Adams, 81, retired public school teacher, of Southern Pines, died Friday, August 11, 2006 at her home.
Born February 23, 1925, in Badin, NC, Mrs. Adams was the daughter of Benjamin Harrison Wallace and Luna Coble Wallace. Mrs. Adams graduated from Albemarle High School in 1942 and Lenoir-Rhyne College with adegree in Social Studies and Physical Education in 1946. Her teaching career of 28 included stints at Landis, Altamahaw-Ossipee, Millingport, Mount Pleasant, Stanly County, Newton-Conover, Roanoke Rapids, and Southern Pines.
In 1963, she was oneof the first 13 teachers to be employed as a teacher of the Gifted and Talented in North Carolina and was rated a Master Teacher certification, one of the few ever granted. With her expertise, she started GT programs in the Stanly County Schools, Newton-Conover City Schools, and Roanoke Rapids City Schools, serving as lead teacher in each of the school units.
Mrs. Adams was a devoted member of Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Southern Pines. She, along with her husband Luther, started the church with a meeting in their home on January 9, 1960. She became a charter member when the church was officially organized in 1962. During her years as a member she served her church in many ways, including Church Council member, Education Committee Chairman, Sunday School teacher, Personnel Committee, Social Committee, Altar Guild, Preschool Board of Directors, and President of the Lutheran Church Women.
Her educational interests were not limited to the public schools. Early in her teaching career, she organized a cooperative Nursery School in Mt. Pleasant and directed a staff of parent volunteers in its successful operation. Following her retirement from the public schools in 1982, Mrs. Adams served two years as Director of Fellowship PreSchool in Southern Pines and later spent five years providing psychological services to inmates at the Cameron Morrison Correctional Facility in Hoffman.
She is predeceased by her husband, Luther A. Adams, former public school administrator, andone son, David Michael Adams.
Mrs. Adams is survived by one son, Thomas L. Adams and his wife, Diane of McLean, VA; onedaughter, Elizabeth "Libby" Adams Carter, and her husband, Dr. Steven R. Carter, of Pinehurst. She is survived by grandchildren, Benjamin L. Adams and wife, Marian of Raleigh, Emily Carter of Charlotte, Stephanie Carter of Hickory, and Ashley Adams of McLean, VA.
The family received friends 7-8:30 p.m. Sunday evening at Boles Funeral Home in Southern Pines.
A memorial service was held 3 p.m. Monday afternoon at Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Southern Pines. A private service will be held later at St. Martin's Lutheran Church in Stanly County.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The Adams Fund, Lenoir-Rhyne College, P. O. Box 7228, Hickory, NC 28601.
Arrangements by Boles Funeral Homes of Southern Pines.