Dorothy Mary Ellen Jones Adams

At 10:45 AM on December 2nd, 2014, Dorothy Mary Ella Jones Adams went home to be with her Savior and only husband Maurice Griffin Adams who died in 1975 at the early age of 65. Dorothy recently celebrated her 100th birthday at home with her family.

Dorothy was born in Houston, Texas on August 14th, 1914. She was one of four children born to Albert and Ollie Jones. She was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church, Houston, Texas. She was confirmed at North Side Lutheran Church, Houston. Dorothy graduated from Jeff Davis High School in Houston and wasted no time putting her excellent grammar, typing, and shorthand skills to work as a legal secretary at a downtown law firm, Stubblefield and Stubblefield, located in the then “almost new” Gulf Building.

Dorothy, of Houston, Texas was introduced to Maurice, of Patmos, Georgia by a life-long friend Bernice Woodard. Maurice Griffin Adams was a sales rep for Armour & Company. Evidently he was quite the salesman. He romanced Dorothy with home-made records (his own voice), like “Let Me Call You Sweetheart.” They were married in Patmos, Georgia on July 1, 1941. Their first child, Donald Dean, was born at home in 1942, “house call doctor.”

Shortly thereafter Maurice was drafted into the US Army Air Force. He was soon promoted to Staff Sergeant assigned to the Army Air Force Base in Bainbridge, Georgia. Dorothy was hired for her secretarial skills to also work on the base. Their second child, Norman Earl, was born in the military base hospital December of 1944.

Shortly after VE day, Maurice received his orders to head to San Diego and wait for his assignment in the Pacific. Dorothy, Don, and six week old Norman stayed with Dorothy’s mom Ollie Jones in Houston. But before Maurice was ordered to ship out, USA bombed Japan, and Maurice, along with many other GIs, received an honorable discharge.

In 1947 Dorothy and Maurice joined Our Savior Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas. That same year they opened Adams Insurance Service. It was truly a “mom and pop” shop. Their third child, Shirley Anne, was born in Houston, Texas, in 1949. Dorothy taught Sunday school at Our Savior Lutheran Church for more than 60 years. She worked for the insurance agency more than 50 years, including 22 years after Maurice’s death. Dorothy was an accomplished poet, an outstanding artist, a home maker, but she will probably be best remembered for her doll collection and for sewing doll clothes to raise money for Our Savior Lutheran’s Annual Bazaar. Her doll clothes had exquisite detail and were “coveted.” Each outfit was probably worth $150 or more, but having experienced the great depression, Dorothy refused to price them for more than $15. There was always a rush to get there first!

Dorothy was preceded in death by her mom and dad, Albert and Ollie Jones, husband Maurice Griffin Adams, brothers Albert and Bill Jones, sister Ollie Murphy, niece Eileen Jones White, and nephew Leo Dennis Murphy.

Survivors include son Donald Dean Adams and wife Francis, son Norman Earl Adams and wife Debbie, daughter Shirley Anne Adams Roddenberry and husband Bo. Grandchildren include Michael Adams and wife Susan, Mark Adams and wife Missy, Andy Adams and wife Amy, Tracy Dacus and husband Mark, Stephanie Moore and husband Michael, and Jennifer Kegans.

Great grandchildren include Ashley, Austin, and Melissa Adams, Greg and Jillian Moore, Isabella, Benjamin, Samuel, and Livia Adams.

Nephews Russell Jones and wife Thelma, Bill Jones Jr. and wife Judi, niece Marilyn Sue Murphy, and grandnieces Stephanie Stigant and husband David, Jennifer Watkins and husband Jeff. Great grandnieces Megan Stigant and Veronica and Willow Watkins.

Dorothy’s family wants to express their appreciation and gratitude to Tina Mosley and her many “angel” caregivers, especially Mae Riley and Cindy Roger.

Visitation and memorial service will be held at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 5000 W. Tidwell on Friday morning December 5th at 10:00 AM.

Dorothy will be buried next to Maurice at Resthaven Cemetery, with family only present.

Please do not send flowers. If you wish to make a memorial donation, make it payable to Our Savior Lutheran Church in memory of Dorothy Adams.