Helen Sue Haws Adams

Sue was born in Cordell, Oklahoma, in 1948 to Evelyn and Kenneth Haws. Her family moved to California when she was five. Sue was a member of the 1966 graduating class at Fresno High School. Sue went on to study English at California State University, Fresno, and graduated Cum Laude in 1970. She married Denny Adams in 1970 and moved to Selma, CA, where they resided for the duration of their seventeen-year marriage. Sue returned to Fresno in 1991 to be closer to work and family. During her life, she was a mother, substitute teacher, office manager of the Selma Enterprise, and owner of Haws and Company, an association management firm. In her role at Haws, Sue was a dynamic writer and speaker who published an international association magazine and spoke at trade shows nationwide. She sought to tell the truth in all circumstances. She was the hub of her family, caring for her father and mother, and employing her sister and niece. Sue was a devoted mother who made sacrifices to ensure her daughter had access to unique educational opportunities. Sue and Chris enjoyed a close friendship and had the chance to spend Sue’s last months together. Sue was known for being generous beyond reason, cooking the best filet mignon, having a quick wit, enjoying a good John Wayne film, and more than anything else, she loved her family. In retirement, there was no better day for her than one that included a big hug from her granddaughter or a philosophical conversation with her grandson. A recent highlight in her life was meeting her great-grandson, William.

Sue was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Evelyn Haws, her Uncle James Askew, and her sister, Ann Haws. She is survived by her daughter, Christianna Adams Fuller; her son-in-law, Michael Fuller; her niece, Laurie Glismann; her grandson, Charles Fuller, and his wife, Elizabeth Fuller; her granddaughter, Lillian Fuller; and her great-grandson, William Fuller.

If you would like to honor Sue’s life, please consider donating to Central Valley Honor Flight or CASA of Fresno and Madera Counties. She was particularly proud of her father’s heroic service during World War II and supported veterans' organizations throughout her lifetime. Sue enjoyed a special relationship with her grandchildren, who are adopted. She knew firsthand the immense worth of children in our foster care system.

Family and friends are invited to view Sue’s legacy at www.whitehurstsullivan.com and write condolences.

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