Russell Earnest Adams

Russell Earnest Adams On May 15, 2010, at 1:16 p.m., Russell E. Adams, 92, of Carthage, MO, was called home to be with his Lord and Savior. He gave his life to the Lord Jesus at the age of 9 when his sister Mabel witnessed to him while carrying in wood from the wood pile. Russell Earnest Adams was born in Greeley, Colorado, on January 15, 1918. Russell was the son of Grover and Anna Adams. He graduated from Burden High School at Burden, Kansas, in 1937; from Hardin Simmons University at Abilene, Texas, in 1948; and from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary at Fort Worth, Texas, in 1950. Russell met his wife-to-be, Velma Lee Burkett, while in the enrollment line at Hardin Simmons University. They were united in marriage on August 9, 1949. She preceded him in death on February 4, 1994. Russell was a devoted principal, teacher, and coach. He served schools of Texas, Colorado, Arkansas, and Missouri for thirty-one years. After retiring from teaching, Russell took up his hobby of raising cattle to help support mission work through his church. He was an active member of First Baptist Church of Carthage since 1978 where he served as a deacon, Sunday School director, and as a member on many committees. Russell was also the director and secretary of the Young Adult Sunday School Department during the fourteen years his beloved wife taught the newly married class. Prior to moving to Carthage, Russell and his wife helped to start new churches in Colorado and did mission work with the Mexicans of south Texas. He also led the music in various churches while his wife played the organ or piano for many years. Russell’s family has been richly blessed by the Lord because of his steadfastness in his faith and giving to the Lord’s work to help spread the gospel around the world. Russell was also a WWII Army Veteran, where he served in the Medic Corp. Russell is survived by daughter Debby Fahim of Marseilles, France; son David Adams and wife Suzanne of St. Louis, MO; daughter Donna Keenen and husband Mark of Carthage, MO; and daughter Darla Walkup and husband Bill of Bolivar, MO; one brother Forrest Adams of Manhattan, KS; sister-in-law Mina Adams of Topeka, KS; twelve grandchildren: Grant Keenen, Wayne Keenen, Kyle Keenen, Daniel Walkup, Charity Kelly, Gloria Fahim, Sarah Pepper, Esther Fahim, Philip Fahim, Ruth Fahim, Julie Tufts, and Emily Adams; as well as five great-grandchildren and thirteen nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by infant sister Lola Viola Adams, his father and mother, brother Glenn Adams, sister Mabel Riggs, and brother Wayne Adams, and one niece. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to First Baptist Church for the purchase of Bibles and other Christian literature for mission work. Visitation: Thursday, May 20, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church. Service: Friday, May 21, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church. Interment in Park Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of Ulmer Funeral Home.

Russell Earnest Adams

January 15, 1918 - May 15, 2010