Obituary of Dorothy "Dot" Phillips Adams

Mrs. Dorothy L. “Dot” Phillips Adams, of Ozark, died October 3, 2023 at her home surrounded by her family. She was 87 years old. A memorial service for Mrs. Adams will be held 4:00 P. M. Thursday, October 5, 2023 in the First Ozark United Methodist Church with Reverend Dr. Jason Thrower and Reverend Dr. Billy D. Gaither officiating, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. The family will receive friends Thursday in the church from 3:00 P. M. until service time. Mrs. Adams was born in Elamville, Alabama on April 1, 1936 to George Washington Phillips and L. W. Phillips. She was a graduate of Barbour County High School and was selected as Miss Clio in 1953. Upon graduating a year early, she attended Birmingham Baptist College of Nursing. She began her nursing career in Florida and returned to Ozark later where she worked at Dale County Hospital as a nurse and then as an instructor for nursing students. Dorothy was also Director of Nursing at Ozark Nursing Home and Oakview Manor Nursing Home. Mrs. Adams also worked with her husband and son in their family-owned business, The Southern Star newspaper. She was a co-founder of the Dale/Coffee County Association for Handicapped Children. Mrs. Adams served on the Board of Directors for Vivian B. Adams School in Ozark for over twenty years. She was a member of the First Ozark United Methodist Church where she helped start the Billy Gaither Sunday School Class which served handicapped adults and children. Mrs. Dot was known as a very loving lady to everyone who knew her. She loved taking care of family members and was known for her delicious cheese straws. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Joseph Holman “Jay” Adams, Jr.; her brothers, Douglas Lunsford and Evans Lunsford; and her sisters, Dovie Slawson and Betty McCraney. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Joseph Holman Adams; her children, John Phillip Adams and Sara Elizabeth Dawkins (Charlie); her grandchildren, Brittany Meritt (Jake), Mahlon Dawkins, Adams Dawkins and Lofton Dawkins; her great grandchildren, Bryson McCrea, Braylee Munn, Turner Merritt and Elizabeth James Meritt; her sister, Elaine Casey and her brother, LaDon Phillips. Several nieces and nephews also survive. The family would like to give a special thanks to special caregivers, Reba Ferebee, Pat Rogers and Dee Gibson; also to Enhabit Hospice for their care and especially to Libby Babbington. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her memory to Vivian B. Adams School, 2047 Stuart Tarter Road, Ozark, Alabama 36360.