Mrs. Ruth Ellis Adams

Funeral service for Ruth Christine Ellis Adams, 97, will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 6, 2011, at Kilbourne Park Baptist Church, with burial in Greenlawn Memorial Park. Officiating will be the Reverend Eddie Stewart and the Reverend Doctor John M. Newell, III. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Monday, December 5, 2011, at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel. Mrs. Adams died peacefully Saturday, December 3, 2011. She had been a resident of the SC Episcopal Retirement Community at Still Hopes in West Columbia for the past 15 years. Born in Savannah, Georgia, May 6, 1914, Mrs. Adams was a daughter of the late Willard Dan and Lillian Otto Ellis. She attended Savannah schools and was a 1935 graduate of the Georgia State Woman's College in Valdosta. After her marriage to Harold Adams in December 1935, she moved to Columbia and had resided in the area since that time. Mrs. Adams and her husband graciously extended their hospitality and friendship to family and friends throughout the years. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother and a devout Christian. A virtuous woman is described in Proverbs 31:10-31. Among these verses read, "Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. A woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised." Mrs. Adams exemplified the virtuous woman in every way, always with a gentle and loving spirit. She will be remembered fondly. A dedicated and active member of Kilbourne Park Baptist Church, Mrs. Adams taught the Dorcas Gleaners Sunday School Class for many years. She was active in the Woman's Missionary Union, serving several terms as its director. She sang in the sanctuary choir, enjoyed activities with the JOY Club Seniors, and participated in many other church activities. Mrs. Adams was a friend of Christian missions and embraced The Great Commission, passionately supporting the work and vision of world missions. She often volunteered to assist with civic and community projects and enjoyed entertaining, reading, traveling, musical events and community theatre. Surviving are a daughter, Evelyn Adams Smith of West Columbia; a son and daughter-in-law, Dr. and Mrs. Harold H. Adams, Jr. (Cookie) of Columbia; grandchildren, Samuel G. Parler, Jr. (Rameth) of Clemson, Dr. David W. Parler (Cindy) of North Augusta, Mary Christine Parler Newell (John) of Augusta, Ga., Charlotte Smith Harlin of Lexington, B. Erwin Smith, Jr. of Greenville, Diane Smith Welsch of Charleston, Dorothy Christine Adams of Charleston, and Dr. Alice Adams Bonaimé (Matthieu) of Lexington, Ky. Also surviving are great-grandchildren, Adam, Elizabeth and Bryson Parler, McPherson and Thomas Newell, Jennifer and James Harlin, Jr, Christina Welsch, Luke Ellis and Clara Grace Bonaimé; sister-in-law, Lee Adams Eleazer (Robert) of Columbia and a number of special nieces and nephews. Mrs. Adams was preceded in death by her parents and husband; a daughter, Carolyn Adams Parler, great-granddaughter, Marie Madeline Bonaimé; brothers, W. Dan Ellis, Jr., Fred E. Ellis; a sister, Evelyn Ellis Overby; father-in-law and mother-in-law, the Reverend and Mrs. N. Hoyt Adams (Dessie); sons-in-law, Samuel G. Parler and Bishop E. "Bill" Smith; grandson-in-law, Jeffrey A. Welsch; two brothers-in-law, and six sisters-in-law. The family extends their gratitude to the dedicated physicians, nurses and staff at Still Hopes, especially to those in the Sanders R. Guinard, Jr. Center where Mrs. Adams resided during her final years. They provided outstanding care and warm compassion. The family also expresses appreciation to Harmony Care Hospice for their professional and gentle care during Mrs. Adams' final days. A special thank-you is also offered to her beloved friend and companion, Thelma O'Neal, who patiently and lovingly assisted Mrs. Adams for 25 years. Memorials may be made to Kilbourne Park Baptist Church, 4205 Kilbourne Road, Columbia, SC 29206; the SC WMU Touch Tomorrow Today Endowment, C/O WMU Foundation, 100 Missionary Ridge, Birmingham, AL 35242 or a charity of one's choice.