Barbara Jean Adams

Barbara Jean Adams died peacefully on Saturday, July 13, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Enid, Oklahoma on October 24, 1931 to Ed and Mildred Ross, she was their eldest daughter. She was preceded in death by her sister, Patricia Ross Carter and is survived by her brother Richard Ross of Benton, Louisiana.

Barbara and Jim are survived by their children: Cathy Adams Remily, her children Michael married to Julie, and parents of Christopher, Carter, Cole, and Cobe; her daughter Tara, granddaughter Lilly and her Dad Tom all living in California. Their son, Jim, is married to Cindee living in Arkansas and they have two daughters, Cristina married to Brennan, living in California, and Corbie who also lives in Arkansas. Their third child Sharyl Adams Williams lives in California with her daughter Rebekah and grandsons, Milo and Finn. Their fourth child Krista Caley, her daughter Jessy, son Brandon with his son Kingsley and mother Ashley and their father Tom all reside in California too.

While in her first year of teaching at Lamar Junior College, she met her future husband James (Coach/Hoss) Adams. They married in February of 1954 and moved to Las Vegas, New Mexico while he completed his BA and MA degrees there. Next, they moved to Umapine, Oregon where they started their family. They welcomed their first child, Cathryn and when she was 2 weeks old, they moved to Williams, California in the Sacramento Valley. Four years later they settled in Hemet, still planning to move every three to four years. Their second child, James Jr., was born in 1964, moving plans disappeared and that remained the family home for over 60 years. Sharyl arrived in 1968 and Krista completed the family in 1969.

Through her educational career, Barbara taught English, then Business and retired after her last few years serving as an Assistant Principal from Hemet USD, having worked there for 31 years. She traveled as a business leader and professional development presenter as far away as Alaska. One of her favorite stories to share professionally was her “Chips” story and she loved sharing and explaining the power of her favorite statement, “Help me understand…” She was known for not being seen angry or delivering direct criticism. If you were lucky you might catch an eye roll or smirk, but otherwise many said they did not realize she had bestowed an epic zinger upon them or someone else until they were 5 miles down the road.

Barbara’s smile lit up rooms, her laugh was delightful and her special hugs often came with a back rub. Barbara’s long time evening routine she had shared with her husband Jim, was to watch Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune every night. She would stay up late afterward and catch up on news and weather then pray aloud for an hour after going to bed. She knitted her children beautiful baby blankets and incredible Christmas stockings, which will be treasured forever. She was an avid reader and also loved sharing children’s books.

She enjoyed seeing plays at the Pantages in Los Angeles and also in Palm Springs and New York with family and friends. While her husband Jim had inspired road trips, she inspired the love of cruising and her favorite was to Alaska. She always remembered loved ones on her travels, sending postcards and bringing back special books and gifts to share. She loved fires in the fireplace, sparkly lights, and most of all - having family and especially grandkids over to play games and swim in the pool. She always wanted to treat family to meals and time together and a favorite was offering to buy sandwich, fruit and veggie trays for everyone. She loved anything sandwich related to be prepared with Miracle Whip and always liked to have her Coke with the pebble-style ice. She was well known for a number of her homemade recipes including her sandwich spread, stews, special jello, and Christmas candies: Good Dough, Divinity, Toffee and Caramels.

The family is hosting an informal Celebration of Life on Saturday, July 27 at the Hemet United Methodist Church from 12:30 - 3:30. It will be a drop-in and visit get-together to share memories and refreshments will be served. (Address: 530 South Buena Vista St, Hemet, CA 92543)

The family has asked in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to the San Jacinto Education Foundation “Coach “Hoss” & Barbara Adams Family Scholarship (Address: 2045 South San Jacinto Avenue, San Jacinto, CA 29583) or to the Rescue Task Force (Address: 27636 Ynez Road, L-7 #357, Temecula, CA 92591)