Mildred Elizabeth Adams

Mildred “Jackie” Elizabeth Adams, 92, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 11, 2012 with family at her side. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 22 where friends may visit from 5 pm to 7 pm at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at St. Joseph United Methodist Church on Wednesday, May 23, at 10 am. The family is requesting that memorial contributions be made to the St. Joseph Public Schools Foundation. Those wishing to sign the Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Jackie was born on January 29, 1920 in New Castle, Indiana to Chester and Ruth Gold. She graduated from Benton Harbor High School and went on to receive her teaching degree from Western State Teacher’s College (WMU). She married Kenneth Adams on Christmas Day in 1943. Jackie taught elementary students for many years and loved the time and many hours she spent teaching her students. She began her teaching career in Hastings, Michigan and continued her career after her marriage in 1943 in the Benton Harbor School District. She eventually came to teach at Lincoln Elementary School in the St. Joseph School District where she taught first and second grade students for 28 years. She was and is thought of affectionately by all her students and had lifelong friendships with many of those students and their parents. Raising flowers in her yard and spending time outdoors in the summer were things she enjoyed every year. She especially loved to work crossword puzzles in her spare time or when relaxing in the evening. It was a hobby she enjoyed well into her 80’s. Survivors include son, Jerry (Cara) Adams of Aiken, South Carolina; son, Todd (Kathie) Adams of St. Joseph; grandchildren, Pam Adams, Jeff (Jenn) Adams, Emily (Joe) Schmit, Melissa (Jake) Cook and Erin (Nick) Mcmanus; and six great-grandsons, Zach Adams, Alex and Bryce Adams, and Ethan and Tyler Schmit. Jackie is also survived by one sister, Betty Froberg; a sister-in-law, Betty Adams; and several nieces and nephews, along with many loving friends. Her husband, Kenneth, and three sisters Caroline, Martha and Jeanette and one niece, Charlene Zindler, preceded Jackie in death.