Joan Marie Adams

Joan Marie Adams, 83, was born March 14, 1929, in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
She passed away August 9, 2012, in Las Vegas.
She had an incredible spirit, drive, adaptability, and intelligence. She contracted polio at 11 and was hospitalized for two years. She never allowed this event to become a handicap. In spite of needing to use crutches during her school years and subsequently needing to use a wheelchair for the rest of her life, she consistently found ways to work around physical limitations. She graduated valedictorian from Central High in Kalamazoo. She went on to earn a BA at the University of Michigan and dual masters degrees in English and business from the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign. It was here that she met Charles Lynford Adams, whom she later married. They moved to El Paso, Texas, where they lived during Charles military service. They next moved to Eugene, Oregon, and she worked while Charles pursued his doctorate in English. Lastly, they moved to Las Vegas in 1960, when Charles accepted a faculty position at the UNLV.
Through her life she gave unceasingly to her community. Concerned about the safety of schoolchildren crossing Eastern Avenue at St. Louis Avenue, she successfully lobbied for a traffic light to be installed at the intersection.
She was president of PTA at John F. Miller elementary school for many years, active in the American Association of University Women, and active in Young Audiences, an organization that brought musicians from Las Vegas hotels to area schools for concerts. She served as an advocate for persons with disabilities. She served many seasons on the Allied Arts Council and Clark County Library Council, and was a founding member of the Lied Childrens Discovery Museum.
Her death has left a huge hole in our lives. She will be sorely missed.
She is survived by her son, Stephen Adams her daughter, Rebecca Adams her grandson, Luke Sowa and her granddaughter, Claire Sowa.
Memorial services will be at 2 p.m., Thursday, August 16, at the Davis Funeral Home, 6200 S. Eastern Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89119

Donations may be made to the Clark County Library or the Lied Childrens Discovery Museum, 833 Las Vegas Blvd. N., Las Vegas, NV 89101.

Service

Memorial Service

Davis Memorial Chapel
6200 S. Eastern Ave.
Las Vegas, NV  89119
Thursday, August 16, 2012
2:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M.

A Celebration of Life

Davis Memorial Chapel
6200 S. Eastern Ave.
Las Vegas, NV  89119
Thursday, August 16, 2012
3:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.