To Ozie Adams, the entire world was a stage. An expressive, optimistic, and uninhibited individual, she was a performer in the theater of life. To everyone around her, she seemed to be eternally happy, and she willingly shared that joy with anyone whose life she touched. For Ozie, bringing out the best in any situation was as easy as offering a smile, a witty remark or the twinkle of an eye. And with just those simple gestures, she could evoke the most pleasant of emotions. Ozie really mastered the art of living and had great fun in doing so.
Ozie was born on February 24, 1928 at home in McGrady, NC. Her parents were Roe and Bertha Absher. Ozie was raised in North Carolina. Even as a child, Ozie had the ability to lift the spirits of all those around her. She was raised to be warm, caring and friendly. She couldn’t help but capture everyone’s attention. She was definitely a little bit of a show off, but in doing so, she succeeded in entertaining her entire family.
Always a good playmate, Ozie was easygoing and fun loving. She managed to lighten the mood wherever she was, even during family squabbles. She seemed to have a knack for bringing compromise and erasing tense situations around the house. Due to a generous dose of common sense, Ozie managed to find a satisfying solution to basic problems. Ozie was raised with ten siblings. She had five brothers, Cecil, Mack, Johnny, Lydda and Dewey, and five sisters, Eva, Cora, Wanda, Jo and Betty.
All of Ozie's playful good humor carried over into her childhood. She was possessed with an outgoing personality, a lively imagination and a mellowed enthusiasm for life that allowed her to be constantly on the go. As a result, Ozie experienced a rather active childhood, and this suited her very well. She took part in jumprope. Ozie's memorable achievements included quitting school around the 6th grade to care for sick grandparents.
Ozie never actually encountered a stranger in her dealings with people. She was drawn to individuals and crowds, using her gregarious, adaptable and outgoing personality to captivate her audience. This quality allowed Ozie to continually develop new relationships, ever widening her circle of friends. Ozie delighted in her role among all her acquaintances, because she viewed them all as potential spectators for her performance. Whether it was a story, a joke, a song or just plain fooling around, Ozie was always right at home putting on a show among her friends. Ozie utilized her interest in others as a great way to connect with them. While growing up, some of her best friends were Ruby Felts, Goldie Handy and Virginia Shumate. Later in life, she became friends with her sisters, Jo, Eva and Corie. Ozie loved sharing life and having her home filled with people she knew.
The gift of being emotionally expressive and outwardly affectionate made Ozie very easy to approach. On January 1, 1947 Ozie exchanged wedding vows with Council Monroe Adams at the Justice of the Peace, of Lenoir, NC. She tried hard not to impose on her spouse. She was always sensitive to other people’s feelings, and that was especially true in marriage.
Perhaps the reason Ozie related so well to children was the fact that she never really completely grew up herself. The ability to be just a “kid at heart” helped her in raising her own children. Ozie was blessed with two children, one daughter, Betty and one son, Gwyn. They were also blessed with three grandchildren, Robert, Michelle and Susan. Ozie had the ability to focus her attention on the present moment. If she was spending time with the kids, that’s where all of her attention was directed. Ozie's compassionate side prevented her from being a strict disciplinarian, and she could turn just about any situation into a playful, learning experience. She could spend hours entertaining them with fun and creative play. In fact, Ozie had a knack for turning some of those nasty old chores into games.
At work, as in life, Ozie was a real “people person. ” She had a very successful way of dealing effectively with others, and her enthusiasm and energy was often contagious. Ozie liked to see herself as something of a virtuoso. When dealing with various projects and problems, Ozie was an adaptable realist, using her common sense and trusting her experiences and impulses to uncover the correct answer. Ozie's talent for being a down to earth thinker, allowed many around her to see Ozie as an excellent problem solver. Her primary occupation was seamstress. She was employed for about 20 years at J. P. Stevens, Inc. and about 20 years at Velco Pillows, Inc.
Ozie enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. An “arts and crafts” type, Ozie liked creating and making things. Her favorite pursuits were yard sales and flea markets. Ozie was content to enjoy her hobbies alone but was also willing to share her interests with others.
Living life in the fast lane suited Ozie just fine. It is no surprise that she loved to travel and to visit new and different places. She was naturally curious about other parts of the world and loved the real life adventure that came from visiting them. She was impulsive and willing to try anything once. Favorite vacations included just being at home.
Ozie believed that you had to experience life, and her life in retirement was no different. When that day finally arrived in 2007, Ozie took it in stride as one more way to have fun. Her new life involved just staying at home in Hudson, NC. With her boundless energy and a desire to get the most out of life, Ozie remained busy with people and projects. In retirement, she found new pleasure in going to yard sales and flee markets. Even in retirement, Ozie continued to stay in touch with her old friends and, since she'd never met a stranger, she made plenty of new acquaintances as well.
Ozie passed away on November 24, 2009 at Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care in Lenoir, NC. Ozie fought for about a year and a half against leukemia. She is survived by her children, Betty and Gwyn; her grandchildren, Robert, Michelle and Susan; a brother, Johnny and her sisters, Eva, Corie and Wanda. Services were held at Pendry's Funeral Home. Ozie was laid to rest in Blue Ridge Memorial Park in Lenoir, NC.
Ozie brought joy to all of those around her. She never had a mean bone in her body. She loved to have a good time and was an eternal optimist, always looking on the bright side of things. She loved to share her energy, wit, and her zest for all of her activities with her friends and family. Ozie Adams lived life to its fullest and made everyone around her happier just for knowing her. She will be remembered with a smile.
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