Obituaries 02/06/2025
Joseph Adams, Jr.
WATER VALLEY – Mr. Joseph “Joe” Adams, Jr., 86, died Saturday, January 25, 2025, at his home in Water Valley. A funeral mass was held Friday, January 31, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church of Oxford with Father Mark Shoffner officiating.
Visitation was held prior to the service beginning at 9 a.m. at the church. Burial followed the service in Eastover Memorial Cemetery. Waller Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Joe was born on July 14, 1938, in Curundu, Canal Zone, to the late Edna I. Morris and Joseph Adams, Sr. He joined the Iowa Air National Guard, bravely serving his country as 1st Lieutenant from 1960 until 1969. A graduate of Westmar College in Iowa, Joe earned his Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering and later his Master’s Degree in Business from Florida Institute of Technology.
Joe went on to work for Holly Automotive in Water Valley, later known as Borg Warner, as a senior quality administrator. Joe was a faithful member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, where he lent his beautiful voice to the choir, finding great peace and refuge through the offering of hymns. He passed on his love and passion for music to each of his children. In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 44 years, Marie Therese Adams; his sister, Edna Bitner; and his brother, Dunston Lurch.
Joe is survived by his daughter, Shannon Chiles and her husband, Drew, of Water Valley; three sons, Sean Adams of Water Valley, Chris Adams and his partner, Ashley D’amore, of Memphis, and Brian Adams and his wife, Marlee, of Southaven; a niece, Laurie Bent of Denver, Colo.; five grandchildren, Linden “Denny” Chiles, Kelly Adams, Kathryn Adams, Jake Everett, Asher Rhys, and one on the way.
Expressions of sympathy or memorial contributions in Joe’s memory may be made to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church Benevolent Fund, 416 South 5th Street, Oxford, Mississippi 38655.
Mary Lynn Hairston
OAKLAND – Mary Lynn Hairston passed away peacefully on January 31, 2025 in Oxford at the age of 85. Born May 29, 1939, in Water Valley, Mary was a kind, generous and loving soul who touched the lives of many with her sweet and caring nature. She was out-going and full of life, always bringing joy to those around her. A devoted wife, mother, sister and grandmother, she leaves behind a legacy of love and faith.
Mary graduated from Oakland High School and pursued higher education at the University of Mississippi. She was a talented entrepreneur who owned and operated The Fabric and Sewing Center of Oxford as well as Mary’s Cakes. Her creativity extended to her hobbies of ceramics, sewing and crocheting, which she enjoyed deeply.
Mary accepted Christ at a young age at Bayson Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Water Valley, where she faithfully served on the usher board and sang in the choir. Later in life, she became a member of Springhill Missionary Baptist Church and more recently, Cypress Grove Missionary Baptist Church.
She is survived by her beloved husband, Cornelious Hairston; daughters Phyllis Wallace (Thomas) and Vicki Robinson (Frederick); brother Fred White (Betty); sisters Wonso Hayes (Naylond) and Eva Newton; 14 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews; and a godson, Corey Peel. She is preceded in death by her sisters, Annie V. Mickey and Mattie Hence; and her brothers, Charles White and Sherman White.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at 1 p.m. at the Tallahatchie-Oxford Missionary Baptist Association in Oxford. Viewing will be from 11 a.m. until the funeral. Interment will follow at Cypress Grove M.B. Church in Oxford. Serenity Funeral Home of Holly Springs is in charge of arrangements.
The family requests that any charitable donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in Mary’s memory.