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Mr. Gaylon Thomas Adams, 84, passed away, Thursday, February 4, 2021 at Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson, NC. Mr. Adams was born in Stokes County on June 9, 1936 to John Quincy and Bessie Gibson Adams.
Mr. Adams lived in the Westfield community all of his life. He farmed early in his adult life, after having grown up in a large, farming family. He later worked as an operator at RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company in Winston-Salem, NC and retired from there in 1988. During his retirement, he owned a landscaping business, taking on local customers as well as landscaping for a few area churches and cemeteries. Mr. Adams was known for staying busy working in his own yard, planting a large garden every year, and finding odd jobs to do around the house. Mr. Adams was rarely seen without Mrs. Adams close by his side. Throughout their 65 years of marriage, they did a little traveling in their younger days, especially when Mr. Adams was a gun and knife trader at shows and events. In their recent years, Mr. and Mrs. Adams enjoyed spending time with their family; they have helped raised so many nieces and nephews and spent time with children of friends and youth in the church. They also enjoyed day trips and short drives through the country and to the mountains.
Mr. Adams’s family, friends, church family, neighbors, and former coworkers described him as an honest, caring, genuine, and generous man. He was a father figure and grandfather figure to many. He was known around the community for helping neighbors. His reputation of good character proceeded him everywhere he went and in all he did. His family enjoyed spending time with him simply talking, telling stories, laughing, and cutting up. As he said goodbye after a visit, Mr. Adams was often known for saying, “See you in the funny paper on the first page.” For hobbies, he collected guns, knives, watches, and pocket watches. He listened to bluegrass and bluegrass gospel music on his collection of CDs, cassettes, records and 8 track tapes.
Mr. Adams was a member of Brown Mountain Baptist Church for 56 years; he made his profession of faith on April 22, 1965. Mr. Adams was ordained as Deacon in 1973 and served on the Deacon Board for 48 years. He helped with church events, Vacation Bible School, and more. He was an active and faithful member, loved his church family dearly, supported them and was supported by them all these years.
Mr. Adams leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife of 65 years; Novella Adams, chosen immediate family: James Terry (Teresa) Adams Sr; Amanda (Scott) Gordon; Melissa (Stacey) Culler; James Terry (Hannah) Adams Jr; four chosen great grandchildren; Eli Culler, Kattie Culler, River Adams, Hunter Adams; one sister; Barbara Jean Mannering; niece, Tiffany (Evan) Coe, Tonia (Troy) Wilson, Wayne Newman, Robbie Newman, and numerous other nieces and nephews; best friend, William “Hootie Pole” (Ruby) Beasley; dear neighbors, Lynwood and Sue Payne.
Mr. Adams was preceded in death by his parents, John Quincy and Bessie Gibson Adams; brothers and sisters: Thelma Cox, Rena Wright, Lila Smith, Ercell McHone, Marie Joyce, Hessie Mae Southern, Louise Ward, Roy Adams, Troy Adams, James Gaither Adams, Betty Adams; two chosen great grandchildren, Stacey Shelbin Culler Jr. and Boone Hunter Adams.
The body will lie in state at Cox and Needham Funeral Home on Monday, February 8, 2021 1:00pm-5:00pm. and at Brown Mountain Baptist Church on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 1:00pm-2:00pm. A funeral service will be held Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at 2:00 PM at Brown Mountain Baptist Church with Pastor Eddie Carter and Rev. Rick Sewell officiating. (Anyone who prefers may sit in their cars and listen to the service on Radio station AM 1610.) Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice at 401 Technology Lane Suite 200, Mount Airy, NC 27030 or Brown Mountain Baptist Church (In Memory of Gaylon Adams in the subject line) P.O. Box 73 Westfield, NC 27053.
Photo Memories: drive.google.com/drive/folders/11v4vltG-GHu2Qvv2ql1JDoRzRKEKAqKV?usp=sharing
Cox-Needham Funeral Home is respectfully serving the Adams family.
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