Mary Lib Sharp Adams

“To our Mother who taught us about life and values; who led us across the stepping-stones of growing up, until we safely reached the other side of adulthood. To the Mother we admire for her ability to teach by example, to lighten a care just by listening; to love unconditionally. To the Mother we respect, the woman who had always been there, no matter what we needed, ever since we can remember. To our Mother with more thanks and love than you could ever know.” -Your Children, David, Jim and Patty

Mary Elizabeth “Mary Lib” Karg Sharp Adams, age 93, of Vestavia Hills, died June 29, 2014. She was born in Sheffield, Alabama and been a resident of Birmingham, Alabama for 76 years. Mary Lib attended Maryville College in Maryville, TN receiving a degree in Sociology. Mary Lib married her first husband John David sharp, Jr. (died 1988) in 1942 in a double wedding ceremony with her older sister, Eloise and her late husband Gordon Stoltz of Houston, Texas. She worked at Ridout’s Valley Chapel in Homewood as the Hostess for 23 years retiring at age 70 in 1990. Mary Lib married her second husband Dr. Frederick Palmer Adams in 2003, he died in 2012. They resided in both Auburn and Birmingham during that time period where Fred had been a professor at Auburn University. They were avid fans of the Auburn Tigers attending many Auburn games and enjoying the Auburn college Town atmosphere.

She was a charter member of Southminster Presbyterian Church in Vestavia Hills and a long-time member of Briarwood Presbyterian Church. She and Fred were also associate members of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Opelika, Alabama. She was most proud of her leadership role in a bible study at South Haven Nursing Home. She was a Sunday School Circle member of Briarwood and the Masters 40 Supper Club.

Mary Lib is survived by her older sister, Eloise Stoltz; her three children, son John David Sharp III from Big Canoe, Georgia; son James Clay Sharp (wife Jane) from Vestavia Hills, Alabama and; daughter Patty Reynolds (husband Harris) from Pensacola, Florida; step-daughter Susan Bruce (son-in-law Charles) from Opelika, Alabama; grandchildren John David Sharp IV (wife Kali); Stephen Sharp (wife Tara); Leigh Reynolds (fiancé Scott Jenkins and boys Max and Brody); Jodie Koch (husband Ryan); Thomas McDowell; Shannon Crews (husband Adam); Chad Bruce (wife Suzanne); along with great grandchildren Jack, Davis, Asher, DeDe, Hannah, Hunter, and Emily.

Our family would like to extend a special thank you to Mother’s cardiologists, Drs. Annabelle Simon-Lee and Tim Lee, the entire staff of Oasis Hospice and in particular Sequoia Waters, and to the entire staff of Brookdale Place University Park for the professionalism and kindness shown to our Mom on a daily basis.

The celebration of Mary Lib's life will be at 2pm on Wednesday, July 2, 2014 at Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to one of the following: Oasis Hospice, 2005 Agape Circle, Moody, AL 35004 or to Briarwood Presbyterian Church Love Fund, 2200 Briarwood Way, Birmingham, AL 35243.

Arrangements are under the direction of Southern Heritage Funeral Home, Pelham, AL.