Mrs. Rhoda J. Adams, age 82, of 1460 Pennsylvania Avenue, Tyrone, and a guest at The Hearthside, State College, died Monday February 11, 2008 after a long battle following a debilitating illness. She was born December 4, 1925 in Bellwood, the daughter of Earl W. and Hazel Tackett Burns. She was a direct descendent of the Bell family. On June 20, 1946 at St. Matthew’s Rectory she was married to James D. Adams following his return from duty in the Pacific during World War II. He preceded her in death December 21, 1980. She is survived by five children – James David Jr. of Monroeville, PA; Robert E. (Suzanne) of Holly, NY; Jeffrey L. of Philadelphia and Tyrone; Gregory S. (Melissa) of Tyrone and Christine A. Adams of Vail, Tyrone RD3. Also surviving are six grandchildren – Jillian Adams, Garrett Adams and Melissa Adams of Holly, NY; Christine Elizabeth Adams of Altoona, Jessica Adams of Tyrone and James Alois Adams of Bellwood and one great-granddaughter – Jokasta of Bellwood. Also surviving is one brother – Robert F. Burns of Atlanta, GA. She was preceded by two brothers, Donald Burns of Dayton, OH and Jack W. Burns of Corning, NY. A special aunt, Ruth Tackett Knapp preceded her in death and she is survived by a special friend Margaret Poppenweimer Adams.
Rhoda was an associate member of Christ United Methodist Church. She was a graduate of Bellwood-Antis High School Class of 1943. She was a member of Howard Gardner Post No. 281 American Legion Auxiliary. She had been employed at Waple’s and Long’s Dairies, Steel’s Drug Store, the Tyrone Herald, Widmann’s Drugs, Sheetz, and as a Senior Companion. She was a volunteer at Epworth Manor prior to her illness. She enjoyed baking, was a prolific reader, loved to go dancing, loved her many pets and was a fan of the Gardner Guards, her husband having been a charter member of the Guards and two of her sons having also been members.
Funeral services for Rhoda J. Adams will be Friday, February 15 at 11 a.m. at the Richard H. Searer Funeral Home Inc. with Reverend Norman E. Huff presiding. Interment will follow in Blair Memorial Park. Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the Tyrone Snyder Public Library, 1000 Pennsylvania Avenue, Tyrone, PA 16686 or to the Alzheimer’s Association, 3544 N. Progress Avenue, Suite 205, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9638.
