Mary Louise Adams

December 10, 1935 - August 8, 2020

Mary Louise Wethington Adams, Seymour, life-long learner and educator, devoted wife and mother, loving grandmother and caring friend to many, departed this life on August 8, 2020. Born December 10, 1935 in Dunnville, Kentucky she was the daughter of Walter C. and Stella Mae (Garrett) Wethington. From an early age, Louise loved education and developed a lifelong love of reading. Mrs. Adams attended schools in Dunnville, KY; Cincinnati, OH; and North Salem, IN; where she graduated from high school in 1953. She attended Purdue University and graduated in 1957 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Science and later received a Master’s Degree in Education from IUPUC in 1980. On the campus of Purdue, she met and fell in love with Caroll Boyd Adams, and they married on June 1, 1955. Louise and Boyd celebrated 50 years of marriage on June 1, 2005, with a family celebration, and had 52 ½ years together before his death in 2008. Louise and Boyd lovingly raised a family of 5 children, traveled the United States and the world, served their church and community faithfully and enjoyed the richness and laughter of 10 grandchildren, and 15 great grandchildren. They had a rich life filled with family and friends from college, church, and their neighborhood, and many adventures in travel. Louise was an excellent teacher, working in schools in Seymour, Crothersville and Brownstown. She taught general math, algebra, calculus and German, and it was a particular joy of hers to meet former students many years after she had retired. She was a long-time member of the First United Methodist Church, serving in many volunteer and leadership roles. She was also a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, the women teachers’ honorary, and Kappa Kappa Kappa sorority. Louise had many hobbies, including reading, needlework, crossword puzzles, and watching the birds in her yard. It brought her great joy to spend time with her family, whether traveling to national parks and foreign countries or visiting in her own home and at annual family reunions. She encouraged and passed on her love of reading to her children and grandchildren. Survivors include her five children: Sharon (David) Copler, Floyds Knobs; Dr. Mary Beth Adams, Elkins, WV.; Lt. Col. (ret.) Kevin (Tracie) Adams, Amherst, NH; Tami (Ron) Wolownik, Cumming, GA; Mona (Mike) McClellan, Holland, MI; 10 grandchildren: Nastasya (Tim) Hnat Bartlett, TN; Jacob (Lydia) Copler, New Albany; Marissa Carroll (Peter) Waters Floyds Knobs; Seth and Beka Adams, Amherst, NH; Derek (Crosby) Wolownik, Flowery Branch, GA; Samantha and Daniel Wolownik, Cumming, GA; Sam McClellan, Lafayette, IN; Mary Beth (Noah) Likkel, Grand Rapids, MI.; 15 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren. Louise is also survived by her sister, Betty Weyls, Burlington, IA; and 3 brothers: James Wethington of Phoenix, AZ; Ray Wethington, Oxford, IN; and Jeff Wethington, Colorado Springs, CO. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, four sisters: Berniece, Madeline, Charlotte and Aline; two brothers: Walter (Junior) and Joseph Dillard (J.D.); and one great-grandchild: William. A memorial service will be held at 1:30 PM, Saturday, September 5, 2020 at First United Methodist Church in Seymour with Pastor Rick Bell officiating. The service will be conducted in accordance with all appropriate COVID precautions and will be streamed as well for those unable to travel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Jackson County Public Library, 303 W. 2nd Street, Seymour, IN 47274 or the First United Methodist Church of Seymour, 201 E. 3rd Street, Seymour, IN 47274. Please share memories at www.burkholderfuneralchapel.com. Arrangements entrusted to Burkholder Chapel of Thorne-George Family Funeral Homes, 419 N. Chestnut St., Seymour, IN 47274.