Donna June Unroe Adams

Lifelong Gallipolis resident Donna June Unroe Adams passed away Tuesday, September 2, 2014, at the home of her son Brant in Stillwater, Oklahoma. She is preceded in death by her husband George Maxwell Adams, Jr., and her parents, Clara Haffelt Unroe and Oliver Adam Unroe. Mrs. Adams (June) was born on October 22, 1930, in Gallipolis. In 1943, she moved with her parents to Pomeroy where she assisted her parents in the Evans Grocery that her father managed, and graduated from Pomeroy High School in 1947. After high school, she began working at the Pomeroy City Loan office. She married George Adams in 1951 and moved to his hometown of Mt. Airy, NC. There, she worked as secretary for the law firm of Barber and Gardner, and gave birth to son Oliver Brantley (Brant) in 1955. In 1960, she returned with her family to Gallipolis, working part-time first at Ruth’s Floral Shop for her cousin Amyl Haffelt, and then for seven years as the secretary at First Baptist Church until the birth of daughter Claire Lynne in 1969. In 1977, she and her husband purchased the flower business, changing its name to Flowers by George. In 1978, her husband passed away after a brief illness. A short time later, she sold the flower shop and went to work at Robbins-Meyers, Inc. in Gallipolis, and later at Holzer Medical Center, where she worked until retirement. From the time of her return to Ohio in 1960, Mrs. Adams was always very active in the First Baptist Church, especially as a soloist and faithful member of the Sanctuary Choir. She was also deeply committed to the young people of the church, frequently serving in the nursery and as a Sunday School, VBS and youth teacher. She loved to sing, not only at church, but also often singing the national anthem for civic events in Gallipolis on patriotic holidays. She also loved being a mother and homemaker, and was well-known for boldly living her faith every day among her family, friends, and anyone with whom she came in contact. She will be sorely missed by her family and many friends. Surviving family members include son Brant Adams and his wife Ginger of Stillwater, OK, and daughter Claire Claggett and her husband Rick of Celina, OH. Also surviving are six grandchildren, including Lindsay, Lauren and Lacey Adams; Sheila, Erin and Daniel Claggett. Other survivors include cousins Kay Haffelt of Gallipolis and Pamela Haffelt Seals of Mt. Airy, NC, and beloved sister-in-law, Nancy Adams Thacker and a niece, Susan Arnold, both of Mt. Airy, NC. Calling hours will be held at Willis Funeral Home on Monday, Sept. 8, from 7 to 9 PM. A celebration of her life will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 11 AM at First Baptist Church with Pastor Alvis Pollard officiating. Burial will follow at Ohio Valley Memory Gardens. The family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Judith Karmen Hospice, 915 South Main, Stillwater, OK, 74074.