Survived by son, Homer James Adams, Jr. and Tony Delaney (Atlanta, GA); daughter, Sarah (Adams) and Michael Johnson (Old Hickory, TN); grandsons, Chad, Amy, and Reston Johnson (Salisbury, MD), Brian, Ashley, Braden, Tenley, Lynnon, and Hazel Johnson (Sharpsburg, GA), and James Austin, Rebekah, and Homer Johnson (Nashville, TN and Brooklyn, NY). The family is grateful to Cristina Crawford for her additional help with, and loving care, of Bea, especially over the past two years.
Beatrice (Brakefield) Adams was known by her late husband, Homer, as “Sweet Bea.” She was also “Miss Bea” to untold numbers of people who knew and loved her across the years.
Although Bea was a gifted executive secretary in her 20’s, serving as personal assistant to Andrew Benedict who was president of Nashville’s First American Bank, she devoted most of her life to serving as a faithful wife, mother, and grandmother. As First Lady of the Trevecca Nazarene College (now University) campus, Bea frequently welcomed faculty and students alike into the president’s residence on the campus. She loved her dishes and silver settings and always kept the dining room table ready to welcome guests.
Miss Bea was also a great encourager to young ladies, especially if they were still looking for a man to marry. She often participated in Bible studies and met with a group of friends to pray for the Trevecca campus each week in the old prayer chapel in McClurkan.
One of her greatest contributions was that of a nurturing grandmother to Sarah’s and Michael’s sons, Chad, Brian, and Austin, as she cared for them before and after school in their early years. Much learning was accomplished in the boys’ lives in those moments. It was clear that Bea loved Jesus, Homer Adams, her children and their families, and lots of other friends and family. She also loved Gaither Homecoming and Collingsworth Family videos, popcorn in the afternoon and ice cream before bedtime.
Although she will be missed, Bea’s 100-plus years on this earth provided more than enough joy for the family to be swept away in any grief at her passing. She is at home with the Lord and enjoying a stroll along some rippling creek with her beloved Homer in the heavenly realms.
A Gathering of Family & Friends for Mrs. Bea will be held Tuesday, April 25, 2023 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Hermitage Funeral Home and on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Trevecca Community Church, 335 Murfreesboro Pike, Nashville, TN. A Celebration of Life will begin at 11:00 AM in the sanctuary at Trevecca Community Church with Chad Johnson, Brian Johnson, Austin Johnson, Zack Hunt, Christopher Gordon, Michael Rhoades, Kevin Brennan, and Kenn Miller will serve as pallbearers. Mrs. Bea will be laid to rest next to her late husband, Dr. Homer J. Adams, on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at 2:00 PM at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 1101 Lebanon Pike, Nashville, TN.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the Adams family by selecting "Add a Memory" at the bottom of this page. If you feel so led you may make a donation to Trevecca Nazarene University in her honor, either to the Adams Endowed Scholarship Fund or the university program of your choice.
