Martha Lynn Chamblee Adams

Martha Lynn Chamblee Adams crossed over peacefully at home in Starkville, Mississippi, on May 13, 2025, with her devoted daughter by her side. Born at home in Sharon, Mississippi, on February 22, 1929, to Louis Columbus and Cloma Arthur Chamblee, she was the fifth and longest surviving of the six Chamblee siblings: herself and brothers Ollie (called Brother) and John (Son) Chamblee and sisters Katherine (Sister) Craig, Faye Murphy, and Louise (Baby) Montgomery. Called Bobbye by sister Louise and brother John, but always Martha Lynn by her parents, she married the love of her life, Horace Adams, on Easter Sunday, 1948, again at home in Sharon. Horace and Lynn set up housekeeping in Jackson where they were active members of Broadmeadow Methodist Church and were joined in 1955 by son, Horace Mark, and in 1957 by daughter, Gayle Lynn. In 1966, the family relocated to Starkville, which became their hometown. In Starkville, the family became deeply involved in the First United Methodist Church, of which Lynn remained a member for the rest of her life. In fact, for many years until her retirement as the church's business manager in 1994, many would say she ran the church and mentored many pastors. Lynn was from such an entrenched Methodist family that she often joked with her children that it was a good thing the Methodist Church did not have nuns because her mother would have been one in which case none of us would be here! In addition to her service to her church, Lynn was an active member of the Starkville Junior Auxiliary and the MSU Women's Club. She also was an honorary initiate of Delta Delta Delta when the sorority installed its chapter at Mississippi State. Lynn was a gifted cook, talented gardener, and champion bridge player, activities she and Horace enjoyed together along with traveling and exploring the world both near and far and that she continued to pursue after his passing in 2005. After Horace's death, Lynn also enjoyed a brief marriage to Herman McAdams until his death in 2010. One of the greatest blessings of Lynn's long life so well lived was the special relationship she enjoyed with her adoring grandchildren and great grandchildren. She especially cherished having them around her table at home and travelling, when she was able, to Atlanta and New Orleans to share happy times and create lasting memories with them. A lifelong learner and lover of reading, always wanting to keep both her mind and her hands busy, Lynn usually had four or five good books, several crossword puzzles, and a knitting project or two going at any one time. A proud Democrat, she was grateful to have lived long enough to vote for the first African American woman to be nominated for President of the United States and wished that more of her countrymen and women saw things the way she did. Always, to the very end, Lynn was most interested in others, not just herself and her family, but all her many friends, and how they were doing. She understood that to love her neighbor meant to love all and believed that all God's children are equally beloved in His sight. Survived by her loving son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Libby Adams of New Orleans, loving daughter and son-in-law, Gayle and Bob Barnes of Atlanta; grandchildren on whom she doted, Pierce Adams (Cameron), New Orleans, Lindsey Barnes Jinks (Sloan), New York, NY, and Haley Barnes, Charlotte, North Carolina; great grandchildren whom she adored, Hays, Tate, and Wynne Adams, New Orleans; and many beloved nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. A funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at Starkville First United Methodist Church with Rev. Warren Coile and Rev. Brian Gordon presiding. Interment will be private next to her beloved Horace in Starkville Memorial Gardens. A reception will follow in the church Fellowship Hall. The family asks that any memorial gifts be made to Starkville First United Methodist Church or the charity of choice. The family also extends its deepest gratitude and love to Elizabeth Kennard, Lynn's companion and helper during her final years and Louise Poe, who were the angels who cared so tenderly for her until her candle at last burned out. Many thanks also to Dr. Joshua Black, all of Mother's other health care providers, and her many neighbors and friends for their many kindnesses to her. Surely, goodness and mercy followed Lynn all the days of her life and she will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.