Myra Beth was born on December 12, 1934 in Huntsville, TX to Napoleon McAdams and Vivian Viola Wilson. As a young child growing up in the great depression, Myra Beth had the unique experience of living on a women’s prison farm where her father was a guard and having inmates for babysitters. In the early 1940s, she and her parents moved to Stuart Heights in Baytown, TX for better job opportunities and remained in the area for most of their lives. Myra Beth graduated from Robert E. Lee High School, and received her Bachelors of Business Administration degree from Sam Houston State Teachers College and her Masters of Science with honors from the University of Houston Clear Lake. She attained her last degree while working full time and raising two children. Myra Beth believed strongly in education and continued learning throughout her life.
On November 7, 1954, Myra Beth married Gerald Lee Adams and shared her life with him for 60 years. They lived; they loved; they laughed; they squabbled; they made up; and they grew old together. During that time, they were gifted with daughter Jerri Beth Adams Hughes, and son Gerald Lee Adams Jr.
Myra Beth was a teacher and taught Business, English, and Journalism at high schools in Cleveland and Center Point, TX. She taught 4th grade at St. Joseph Catholic School in Baytown and taught emotionally disturbed children in the Special Education Program at Carpenter and JP Dabbs Elementary in Deer Park. Myra Beth enjoyed teaching and tutored after retiring.
For pleasure, Myra Beth liked to travel, cruise, read, sew, shop for antiques, go to estate sales, attend organizational events, and spend time with her family. Myra Beth will be remembered for the love of her family and the enjoyment she received in being with her parents, children, cousins, grandchildren, and her pets (“her babies”).
Myra Beth was a member of the Joyful Hearts Class at Memorial Baptist, Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of the Republic of Texas, San Jacinto Descendants, Jamestowne Society, Descendants of Royalty, Daughters of the Confederacy, Colonial Dames of the XVII Century, Magna Charta Dames, and the Daughters of 1812.
Myra Beth was preceded in death by her parents, Napoleon and Vivian Wilson; her husband, Gerald Adams, and her granddaughters Bethanny Alice and Caitlyn Elizabeth Hughes. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Jerri Beth and Roger Hughes; her son and daughter-in-law, Gerald Jr. (“Dusty”) and Kay Adams; her grandsons, Zackery and Jarred Hughes; her granddaughters, Katelyn and Lauren Adams; and her dear cousins Linda Kay Pierce, Maurice Wilson, Anne Wells, Mavis Smith, and Glenn Cummings.
Funeral services will be held at Memorial Baptist Church on Friday, January 25 at 11 am with visitation preceding at 10 am. A graveside service will be held at the McAdams Family Cemetery in Huntsville on Sunday, January 27 at 2:30 pm.
We would like to thank Myra Beth’s dear friend Irene Washington who has helped so much during the last six years. We would also like to thank the caring staff at St. James House, numerous companions and sitters, the Baytown Fire Department, and the constant support of our church family at Memorial Baptist.
Memorial contributions can be made in Myra Beth’s name to the Senior Department of Memorial Baptist.
