Elaine Adams, 90 years old, passed away October 13, 2026. She served as an educator, pastor’s wife and partner in ministry for 42 years. She was born in Aurora, Co. She was raised by her mother Marjorie Galloway (who worked fulltime) while her father Earl Galloway served in the South Pacific during WWII. She was close to her Great grandparents Jennie and John Becker who lived nearby. After the war ended when she was in grade school, their family moved to Lexington, KY. She grew up in Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Lexington, Ky where she was baptized, attended Sunday School, church, youth groups and camps and led the youth group. Rev. Gentry Shelton was the Associate pastor there and had a profound influence on her life.

She married Rev. David Edward “Ed” Adams on 8-24-1957. They were married 58 years. Their first Pastorate was Associate Pastor of Douglass Ave. Christian Church Louisville, KY. She completed her Bachelors of Arts at Transylvania University (Lexington, Ky) in Elementary Education in 1958 and taught 5th Grade in Louisville, Ky. Together they served at First Christian Church of Waycross, Ga. from 1958-64 where their first daughter Amy was born.

Then they served at Friendship Christian Church in Athens, Ga. from 1964-78 where their second daughter Mary Beth was born. They led summer church camp at Camp Gordon, started their own local Camp Friendship, began the annual live nativity scene and built 3 buildings. Elaine started local women’s groups, served as a leader for the Georgia Christian Women Fellowship, led vacation Bible school, hosted countless dinners and receptions in their home. She also taught a popular Sunday school class called the “Becomers”. She got her Master’s degree in early childhood from the University of Georgia in 1972. She got additional training in Montessori methods of teaching hands on, child centered learning. She taught in a church preschool, then became one of the very first kindergarten teachers in Georgia when the Georgia public schools began offering kindergarten.

They served as an Associate Regional Minister of Christian Church of Florida assisting the churches in the North Region of Florida and coordinating programming for the Florida Christian Conference Center Silver Springs, Fl (now The Retreat) from 1979-86. They visited all the churches in North Florida and served as pastor to all the pastors. They directed camps, taught crafts, served as “parents away from home” and whatever else was needed. Elaine volunteered for Nemour’s Children’s Hospital therapy clinic for children with cerebral palsy. When she found out there was no preschool for children with cerebral palsy, she became the first preschool teacher for United Cerebral Palsy Jacksonville. Without role models, Elaine made up her own curriculum to fit the children’s needs as educational coordinator.

They served at First Christian Church of Jacksonville, Fl as they moved from downtown to South Jacksonville Mandarin from 1987-99. Elaine taught adult Sunday school and led vacation Bible school. She also started First Christian Preschool and became the director from 1987-99. They retired in 1999. They were caregivers for their dear family friends Mary Paxton, Gerry Hardwick, and Jack Humphreys. In retirement, they joined Riverside Christian Church Jacksonville, FL where Elaine became an adult Sunday School teacher, worship coordinator for Florida Christian Women’s Fellowship, Director of Disciple Kids Sunday School and an Elder. They became charter members of the Jewish Alliance Community Center in Jacksonville and participated regularly in many classes and activities. She loved spending time with family, especially her Grandsons. Elaine became caregiver for 12 years for her husband Ed who lived to be 83 and her mother Marjorie Galloway who lived to be 100.

She is survived by her daughters: Amy Adams (husband Dan Lhotka), Marybeth Smith (husband Kelly Smith); her grandsons: John Adams Lhotka; David (Nicole), Kevin (Leah) and Joshua Smith and Great Grandson Theodore. She is preceded in death by her husband Rev. David Edward “Ed” Adams, her mother Marjorie Brant Galloway and her father Earl Galloway.

She will live on through all of us. Her love was larger than life and we will be forever grateful for her. Services for the celebration of her life will be held Community United Methodist Church in Fruitland Park, FL October 24th at 11am (livestream will be available). In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Community United Methodist Church’s children’s ministries in honor of her love and ministry to children.

Elaine’s final resting place will be Lawrenceburg Cemetery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky.