Helen Adams

Helen Hazelwood McFarling Adams died Wednesday, January 23, 2013, at Danville Regional Medical Center. A resident of Riverside Health and Rehab Center for the past year and a half, Mrs. Adams' health had declined in recent weeks. Helen was born on March 3, 1924, to the late Harry Montgomery McFarling, Sr. and the late Shirley Whitler McFarling in Providence, NC. She married Elwood Moore Adams of Java, Virginia on July 12, 1947, who pre-deceased her on April 4, 2002. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by two brothers, Harry McFarling, Jr. of Macon, Georgia, and Tommy McFarling of Providence, NC. Survivors are her daughter, Wendy Helen Adams and her husband Wayne Lee Deese of Charlotte, North Carolina, and sisters Janie M. Wilson, Shirley M. Nance, Carolyn M. Blair, Linda M. Gover, Martha M. Athey, and sister-in-law, Doris McFarling. Helen was a life-long member of College Park Baptist Church where she attended regularly until her failing health prevented her attendance. However, she continued to follow church activities through the weekly ministry of church members who delivered copies of the services on CD, and provided bulletins and newsletters to her on a regular basis. Helen was a graduate of George Washington High School and worked at Macks Five and Dime while still a student. After graduating she was employed at Western Union until she began a long career at Dan River Inc. She worked in the Maintenance Department and Inventory Control/Tabulating Department before moving to the Cost Accounting Department where she worked for ten years. She completed her career with CIT (an affiliate of Dan River) and retired as a Vice President of the Factoring Division of CIT after 26 years of service. Helen is remembered by her former co-workers as a fair manager who coached her younger associates with high expectations to achieve their potential. As the oldest of eight siblings, her family adopted her as "matriarch" after the passing of their mother and remember the joyous Christmas gatherings at her home for many years. The staff of Riverside Health Center embraced Mrs. Adams's loving and generous nature, often stopping by her room for a friendly chat and a piece of chocolate. Even after her eyesight failed, she continued her lifelong practice of sending birthday, anniversary, thank you, and "thinking of you" cards to friends on special occasions. The family may be reached at the home of Martha Athey, 425 Chadwyck Drive, Danville, Virginia. Arrangements are being handled by Townes Funeral Home with visitation scheduled at Townes Memorial Chapel, 215 West Main Street in Danville, Virginia for Friday, January 25, 2013 from 1-2 pm, followed by a celebration of life service at 2 pm at Townes Memorial Chapel. A private burial for family will follow at Highland Burial Park. Services will be conducted by Dr. CAM McIntire, pastor of College Park Baptist Church. The family requests that memorials be made to the charity of your choice.