Mary Annette Younger Adams

Mary Annette Younger Adams, 85, of Lynchburg, Virginia, passed away in her sleep peacefully.  Immediate family, friends, and the loving staff who have been selflessly dedicated to her care and comfort over this past two years surrounded her.

Annette was the daughter of the late Walker Bowman Younger (Papa) and the late Mary Younger, and was preceded in death by her loving husband of 60 years, Robert Pegram Adams, of Lynchburg, and her oldest son, Robert Scott Adams, who died suddenly at the age of 32. Annette and Robert raised their three children in California and moved back to Lynchburg to live in the very same home in which they were married. It was both Robert’s and Annette’s wish to pass away in the historic log cabin that filled them with so many wonderful family memories.

Born in Pennsylvania, Annette was raised in Lynchburg and graduated from EC Glass High School and Beaver College, and enjoyed spending time with her kids and grandchildren. Annette was an avid homemaker, gardener, reader, tennis and bridge player.  She loved classical music and Ball Room Dancing with her husband Bob.

Her son, Thomas Walker Adams, M.Ed. of Lynchburg, Virginia, her daughter, Mary Kathryn Adams Smith of Lynchburg, Virginia, survive Annette. Her four grandchildren, Devin Ray Smith, wife Emilee, Brandon Alexander Smith, Caitlin Brighid Adams, and Colin Walker Adams, and a very special family friend, Russell Ayscue, also survive her.

Our family would like to extend its sincerest gratitude to the wonderful caregiving staff and nurses for the love and care they provided to our mom, especially during the last years of her life as her mental and physical capabilities began to fail. Your constant, gentle care and understanding of these limitations truly improved the quality of life in her last year, and allowed mom to pass away with dignity in her home.  For that, we are greatly comforted and grateful.

For those of you that knew our mom, her strength, poise, grace and commitment to everyone in her family was always overshadowed with that warm and golden smile that would always greet you when you walked through the door. Annette was always forthright, kind and loving to those she met, and was a proud Virginian through and through.  She would occasionally remind us when we expressed a need, that “anything you need can be found either in the cupboard or backyard,” and was known to never let anything go to waste.  She was never one to complain, even during this last challenging period in her life.  Despite the illness that overcame her body, she was always up for the next task.  If anything, she was the one who brought light into the room, regardless of the mood of others.  She was a truly remarkable woman, the consummate lady, and always a joy to be around.

We will miss her terribly and will think of her often.  We are so grateful for the smiles, laughter, and love that she brought into our lives.

Annette’s burial and memorial service will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Lewy Body Dementia Association at https://www.lbda.org/donate or The Boonsboro Volunteer Fire and Rescue at https://boonsborofirerescue.org

 Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.