Obituary for Sarah Elizabeth Adams
Sarah Elizabeth Brown Adams was born June 26, 1939 in the town of Huntersville, NC to the late Rev. Samuel and Laura Brown. She was reared in the Mecklenburg County school system and was the first female school bus driver while a student att Torrence-Lytle High School where she graduated in 1957. Sarah was a member of Chapel Hill Missionary Baptist Church, pastored by her father, and later joined St. Phillip's Missionary Baptist Church. Sarah's interest in science was sparked in her youth and she is a proud graduate of North Carolina Central University.
Sarah ventured to New York to pursue her passion in chemistry and dedicated 42 years as a Supervisory Toxicologist for Metropolitan Hospital. She enjoyed the lab with her colleagues and the work they did for the City of New York. While settling into the city, she ran into her soon to be husband, Carnell Adams at their North Carolina Central University Alumni gathering in Queens, New York and they were wed May 30, 1975. Sarah would brag about the bond she built and the good times she had through the years with the Adams, Williams, and Cromartie family through her marriage. Carnell & Sarah were a ready-made match who built over 32 of marriage together, before her prince charming passed November 12, 2006.
From this union, blossomed three dynamic gems -- Inga St. Tuesday Adams of Waldorf, Maryland, Dr. Camille Tatum Jones (Jerome) of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, and Beth Marie Adams of Odenton, Maryland. Carnell and Sarah loved the city life but wanted to slow life down a bit and make a home for their girls in the suburbs of Long Island. They ventured to the town of Westbury, New York in 1977 where they made the most magical life together anyone could ever ask for, in Sherwood Gardens and were proud dedicated members of the Civic Association. Carnell and Sarah and their girls were dedicated to service in their community and church, Westbury United Methodist Church. Sarah did it all for her girls, from dance mom, to sports mom, to school PTA support mom. Sarah was a beacon of unconditional love and support for her girls. She made the best of memories with them teaching them the importance of being able to use your hands and your mind to conquer anything you desire. She could constantly be heard quoting scripture and her made-up southern wise tales that managed to get a laugh out of all of her girls.
In her marriage Carnell, the accountant, was known as the chef but little knew that it was Sarah who was the cook! She would make anything from scratch and make it well. She was generous with her cooking skills supporting the sick and shut in and those in need continuously. Sarah was the pride of the community, giving her time and resources endlessly to the Westbury Union Free School District, Sherwood Gardens Civic Association, and to the Westbury United Methodist Church. Sarah was a servant leader who would work the church pantry and loved running the Farmers Market for the Church Bazaar. Her desire to serve was truly full when in the company of the ladies of Pi Pi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Incorporated. Sarah was a revered member of the chapter for over 30 years holding a host of positions and committee offices. She embodied the meaning of helping each other and was known for her kindness, gentle spirit, and willingness to lead or follow when called upon. However, if you were to hear Sarah speak, you knew life really began again for her when she took on the role of being a grandmother to Kennedy Elle Jones (11), Brandon Akil McCreary Jr. (10), Ethan August Jones (6) and Channing Miles Jones (4). They were her light and motivation in these final years. She enjoyed sleepovers and cooking lessons with all of her little helpers.
Most recently, Sarah embraced her southern roots of canning again passing on the tradition to her daughters and grands. In the summer of 2020 it was her vision to encourage her daughters to purchase a farm. Together, the girls purchased 82 acres in Brandywine, Maryland and launched the Pepperidge Promise, paying homage to their parents and their upbringing at 827 Pepperidge Road. She was so proud of her girls and their farms and sold her canned goods under Pepperidge Promise at local festivals.
Sarah passed away in the afternoon of January 16, 2023 peacefully in Maryland, where she had been residing with her eldest daughter and care-giver, Inga since the onset of the pandemic. The family is at peace as they know Sarah had completed every assignment given to her and was ready to rest. She leaves behind a trail of fond memories and accolades. Her greatest gift was the gift of giving. She was a true steward of service and will forever be missed in the hearts and minds of everyone she touched. She leaves behind her beloved baby sister, Helen Lexie Rivers of Huntersville, North Carolina, who she adored and loved tremendously. It brought her such joy to be healthy enough to venture to Huntersville, North Caroline this past Thanksgiving to spend time “home” with her sister Helen and family.
Sarah ventured to New York to pursue her passion in chemistry and dedicated 42 years as a Supervisory Toxicologist for Metropolitan Hospital. She enjoyed the lab with her colleagues and the work they did for the City of New York. While settling into the city, she ran into her soon to be husband, Carnell Adams at their North Carolina Central University Alumni gathering in Queens, New York and they were wed May 30, 1975. Sarah would brag about the bond she built and the good times she had through the years with the Adams, Williams, and Cromartie family through her marriage. Carnell & Sarah were a ready-made match who built over 32 of marriage together, before her prince charming passed November 12, 2006.
From this union, blossomed three dynamic gems -- Inga St. Tuesday Adams of Waldorf, Maryland, Dr. Camille Tatum Jones (Jerome) of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, and Beth Marie Adams of Odenton, Maryland. Carnell and Sarah loved the city life but wanted to slow life down a bit and make a home for their girls in the suburbs of Long Island. They ventured to the town of Westbury, New York in 1977 where they made the most magical life together anyone could ever ask for, in Sherwood Gardens and were proud dedicated members of the Civic Association. Carnell and Sarah and their girls were dedicated to service in their community and church, Westbury United Methodist Church. Sarah did it all for her girls, from dance mom, to sports mom, to school PTA support mom. Sarah was a beacon of unconditional love and support for her girls. She made the best of memories with them teaching them the importance of being able to use your hands and your mind to conquer anything you desire. She could constantly be heard quoting scripture and her made-up southern wise tales that managed to get a laugh out of all of her girls.
In her marriage Carnell, the accountant, was known as the chef but little knew that it was Sarah who was the cook! She would make anything from scratch and make it well. She was generous with her cooking skills supporting the sick and shut in and those in need continuously. Sarah was the pride of the community, giving her time and resources endlessly to the Westbury Union Free School District, Sherwood Gardens Civic Association, and to the Westbury United Methodist Church. Sarah was a servant leader who would work the church pantry and loved running the Farmers Market for the Church Bazaar. Her desire to serve was truly full when in the company of the ladies of Pi Pi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Incorporated. Sarah was a revered member of the chapter for over 30 years holding a host of positions and committee offices. She embodied the meaning of helping each other and was known for her kindness, gentle spirit, and willingness to lead or follow when called upon. However, if you were to hear Sarah speak, you knew life really began again for her when she took on the role of being a grandmother to Kennedy Elle Jones (11), Brandon Akil McCreary Jr. (10), Ethan August Jones (6) and Channing Miles Jones (4). They were her light and motivation in these final years. She enjoyed sleepovers and cooking lessons with all of her little helpers.
Most recently, Sarah embraced her southern roots of canning again passing on the tradition to her daughters and grands. In the summer of 2020 it was her vision to encourage her daughters to purchase a farm. Together, the girls purchased 82 acres in Brandywine, Maryland and launched the Pepperidge Promise, paying homage to their parents and their upbringing at 827 Pepperidge Road. She was so proud of her girls and their farms and sold her canned goods under Pepperidge Promise at local festivals.
Sarah passed away in the afternoon of January 16, 2023 peacefully in Maryland, where she had been residing with her eldest daughter and care-giver, Inga since the onset of the pandemic. The family is at peace as they know Sarah had completed every assignment given to her and was ready to rest. She leaves behind a trail of fond memories and accolades. Her greatest gift was the gift of giving. She was a true steward of service and will forever be missed in the hearts and minds of everyone she touched. She leaves behind her beloved baby sister, Helen Lexie Rivers of Huntersville, North Carolina, who she adored and loved tremendously. It brought her such joy to be healthy enough to venture to Huntersville, North Caroline this past Thanksgiving to spend time “home” with her sister Helen and family.