Rebecca "Becky" Adams

1929 - 2018

Becky Adams, a long-time resident of Fresno, died very unexpectedly on February 6, 2018. She was born in Honolulu, Hawaii in July, 1929, to James L. Miller and Irene (Cato) Miller. She was the sixth child in a large family of nine children. During first grade, Becky and her family moved to White Salmon, Washington, where she completed high school before moving to Fresno. She was Pre-Med at Fresno State College and swam on the synchronized swim team. After her Mother passed away, she left Fresno State to care for three of her brothers and sisters. After leaving college, Becky went to work for Pacific Bell. One of her duties was operating a switchboard at the Lake Tahoe office during the summer. She had wonderful stories of connecting calls for celebrities as well as enjoying the mountains and the nightlife in Lake Tahoe. After the first snow, the Lake Tahoe office would close, and Becky returned to the Fresno office where she was a service representative. She stayed for 13 years and is still in touch with many of her friends from the Telephone Company. Becky met Al Adams on Veterans Day in 1948, and they were married in 1953. Her doctors told her she could not have children, but her faith prevailed, and she had two wonderful sons who were the love and center of her life. Al and Becky owned Lewis Food Market for 25 years, serving the neighborhood seven days a week including holidays. They delivered groceries to elderly customers as well as to many of the Fresno fire stations. Becky and Al were honored by the Fresno Fire Department for their tireless work and made "Honorary Firefighters" in 1983, complete with their own helmets. Becky was a mentor to her employees and customers in the neighborhood and always took a special interest in their lives. She joined the School Attendance Review Board to improve conditions that led to truancy in the neighborhood and was recognized for being "creative and positive in dealing with the truancy problem." Becky's faith in God was her core strength. Born to a missionary father, there wasn't a time in her life that she wasn't close to her church. She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church for 65 years where she served as a deacon and a member of the Pastor's Prayer Team. She also served twice as a member of the Pastor's Nominating Committee. She was an active member of a House Church for 35 years. Wherever she traveled, she would be sure to stop at a church where her father had been a pastor or a church that had significance to her family. After Al and Becky sold Lewis Food Market, she had the time to serve her community and pursue her many interests including her joy of gardening. She loved to learn and was passionate about sharing her knowledge. Becky was a Board member and Docent at the Shinzen Friendship Garden for 34 years, where she provided guided tours of the Shinzen Garden and Clark Bonsai Collection.

She was a Docent at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo for over 35 years and had several recognitions to her credit. She was certified to handle Raptors and enjoyed taking the birds out for their walks while giving talks to zoo visitors. She drove the Zoo Mobile to schools and loved introducing children to a selection of mammals, birds, and reptiles. She was always an enthusiastic ambassador of the Zoo.

Becky was a volunteer at the Fresno Sheriff's Department for 10 years and was nominated for Volunteer of the Year. She was also a docent at the Fresno Water Tower.

Becky was a member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, chapter Alpha Zeta Master. A quote from their handbook really captures Becky's spirit. "We love being surrounded by positive, loving women who laugh easily, share well with others, and aren't afraid to eat dessert." One could never find a more positive and sharing person, who always saw the best in everyone. She treasured her family and friends and possessed a youthful enthusiasm for life.

She is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, Al Adams; her two sons, Lewis (his wife Sarah) and Curtis; her three granddaughters, Rebecca, Alexa and Sierra; her brother, John; and sisters, Ruth, Irene, and Faith; and many nieces and nephews.


A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 24, at 11:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 1540 M Street, Fresno, California. A reception will be held at the Church following the service. Donations in her honor may be made to a charity of your choice.