Jerry C. Adams

Jerry Clark Adams was born on September 10, 1932, in Talbotton, Georgia, to the late Herman “Dock” Adams and Gertrude Adams. He peace-fully departed this life on April 27, 2026, at the age of 93.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mary Adams; his daughter, Mary D. Hawkins-Clark “Poochie”; his granddaughter, Erica Easley; his sisters, Mary Eldridge, Lois Carter, Sinnie Bell, Estelle Wallace and Hermie Lee; and his brothers, John Adams and Elbert Adams.

Jerry’s life was built on hard work, determina-tion, and love for his family. In the mid-1940s, he moved from Georgia to Ohio in search of oppor-tunity and never looked back. From a young age, he worked many jobs to provide. He was a “Jack of All Trades.” He worked in packaging houses as he called the “Slaughterhouse”, helped build bridges, golf courses and was a concrete laborer. He often shared stories about how hard he had to work once he got up North (Ohio). He would say, “he made $3 per hour for the City of Dayton of Ohio in the winter months working 16-20 hours a day.” Those stories weren’t complaints — they were a reflection of his strength and resili-ence that he always wanted to instill in his children.

He later retired from O.K. Trucking, where he drove semi-trucks for many years. Even after retirement, Jerry never slowed down. He worked as a mechanic, fixing cars, lawnmowers, anything

with a motor. He was the best mechanic in Cincinnati. If it was broken, Jerry could fix it. He also enjoyed making money with his pickup truck collecting scrap meta e always found a way to stay active and productive even after retirement.

Jerry wasn’t just about hard work, he knew how to Love and Enjoy Life, too.

He loved to “Put his numbers on” (Lottery) every day and no matter what he was doing, when it was time for the lottery drawing on television, everything stopped. He had to make sure his numbers didn’t fall. He had a natural sense of humor and loved to tell jokes and funny stories. If you were in his presence, you were guaranteed to laugh. He had a way of bringing joy and laughter to a room without even trying to.

Jerry enjoyed his time in his man cave, listening to the Blues and Jazz music and dancing. He also was an amazing cook he spent a lot of time in the kitchen cooking some of the best southern soul food. And if you got his help to start a fire on the grill you had better step back because it’s going to be FIRE! He sure knew how to light a grill. Feeding others made him happy.

Above all Jerry Loved his Family.

He was a devoted father, stepfather, grand-father and great-grandfather. He showed up. He was there when it mattered. His children and grandchildren knew they could count on him. He took pride in being present in his children, stepchildren and grandchildren’s lives. To many, he was Dad, Pawpaw, or simply Mr. Jerry, and the love he gave, will never be forgotten.

Jerry was also a man of faith who loved the Lord. He believed in treating people right, helping others, and standing strong no matter what life brought his way. He didn’t make excuses, he just handled what needed to be done.

His legacy is one of strength, laughter, love, and resilience. The lessons he taught, the stories he told, and the memories he created will live on forever in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

He leaves to cherish his precious memory: his sister, Annie Blount of Atlanta, Georgia; his child-ren, Catherine “Baby” Hawkins, Glenda McElrath, Karen Easley, Gertrude “Trudy” Burris, Dominique Camille Adams, (Sons) Gerald Easley, Jerome McClendon and (Lil) Jerry; along with a host of step-children, grandchildren and great-grandchild-ren, nieces and nephews, and friends who will miss him dearly.

“The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”

— Psalm 34:18

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