John William Adams

John William Adams was born in Roanoke, Virginia. He earned degrees from Mars Hill College, Mars Hill, North Carolina (1950) and the University of Richmond, Richmond, Virginia (1953). His theological education continued at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, and he was ordained to the ministry in 1958. He served as interim pastor at several Virginia churches, with many pastorate years spent at Mount Lebanon Baptist Church, Boston, Virginia; First Baptist Church, Dillwyn, Virginia; Mount Olivet Baptist Church, Beaverdam, Virginia. In his retirement years, he served as the church organist at Glen Allen Baptist Church, Glen Allen, Virginia.

John and his wife, Mary Evelyn, met at Mars Hill College and were married for 71 years. Mary Evelyn continued her education at the Medical College of Virginia, where she earned her Registered Nursing degree and Nurse Practitioner Certification. They moved to Lakewood in 2014 and are survived by their six children; Carolyn Camp; Andy Messer of Anderson, South Carolina; Philip Adams of Charlottesville, Virginia; Timothy and Donna Adams of Ashland, Virginia; Daniel and Vivian Adams of Ashland, Virginia; Hannah Adams of Ashland, Virginia; and Miriam and Mason Camp of Ashland, Virginia; nine grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter.

Relatives and friends are invited to John’s visitation at Nelsen Funeral Home, 412 S. Washington Hwy, Ashland, VA, on Thursday, April 9th, from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lakewood Benevolence Fund, 1900 Lauderdale Drive, Henrico, VA 23228, or the Lakewood Employee Christmas Fund, 1900 Lauderdale Drive, Henrico, VA 23228.