DONA LEE ADAMS

October 26, 1939 to October 7, 2024

Dona was born at home in Chamblee, Georgia in 1939. She was the third girl born to her parents, Don and Edith Wallace, and was named after her father.

Dona was primarily raised in Chamblee but the family moved as required for work and she also lived in Butler (GA), St. Simons Island (GA), Brunswick (GA), and Coconut Grove (FL). Her father's untimely death when she was fourteen had a significant impact on her but she was later blessed with Calvin Taunton as a step-father when her mother remarried. From a young age, Dona was charged with looking after her baby sister, Brenda, and they were lifelong friends. Dona was always very organized and was the treasurer of her Sunday school and a state officer in the Order of the Eastern Star.

After high school, Dona worked at Retail Credit (now Equifax) in Atlanta where she met her future husband, Joe J. Adams. They had a whirlwind romance and married within six months at Sexton Woods Baptist Church in Chamblee, Georgia on March 10, 1961. After the wedding, they relocated to Houston, Texas where they lived as newlyweds for several years before buying a house in West University Place and starting a family in 1964.

Dona and Joe were blessed with three children - Joe Brian, Matthew, and Brenda Lynne. They also served as supplemental parents to Erich Elfeldt, Lorne LaComb, and Gwyneth Mogg Hall who they loved as their own.

Dona was known for her big heart and generosity. She was an avid antique collector with a myriad of interests and loved all things Hallmark. She was first and foremost a homemaker and mother to her children. When they were all in grade school, she began working in the nursery at West University United Methodist Church School in 1973. She continued there for forty years rising to the role of assistant director. Her contribution alongside Annette deTranaltes was formative in building the Church's Infant through Pre-K program into the most prestigious in the city. She dedicated her life to helping in the development of countless children many of whom grew up to place their own children in her care. She was often sought out for her wise counsel and will be remembered as a woman who gave selflessly for the benefit of others.

After retiring at the age of 74, Dona moved to Manvel, Texas to be closer to her sons in a house they built for her across the street. She enjoyed the close proximity to her family and the country lifestyle for over 10 years before her passing. She died peacefully in her sleep surrounded by family. Dona was a woman of deep faith and knew Jesus Christ as her savior.

Dona was preceded in death by her spouse Joe Johnson Adams; grandparents William David Wallace, Sibbie Louise (McDaniel) Wallace, Dalton McMichael, Verna (& Wiley) Phillips; parents Don Wallace & Edith (Wallace) Taunton; stepfather Calvin Taunton; parents-in-law Jonce & Jessie Adams; and siblings Verna Louise Wallace, Mary Ann (& Isaac Leon) Evans and Brenda (& Roger Q. III) Traweek.

She is survived by her children Joe Brian Adams, Matthew Lee (& Carolyn) Adams, and Brenda Lynne Adams; adopted son Erich Alexander Elfeldt who was her primary caregiver in hospice; brother William David (& Jackie) Wallace II; nieces/nephews ConnieJo Evans, Terry Evans, Annette Branco, Jeri Howell & Don Wallace; beloved grandchildren Evon (& Jorge) Dahnke and Steven "Tommy" Davis; and great-grandson Nikolai "Niko" Davis.

A private graveside service will be held on Friday, October 11th, at Cowboy Cemetery near Placid, Texas where Dona will be interred next to her husband.

A memorial service will be held at West University United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas on the morning of Friday, October 25th at 10:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her name (Dona Lee Adams) designated to support the children's programs at Kerr Arts & Cultural Center 228 Earl Garrett St, Kerrville, TX 78028.