Joe Adams

 Joe Adams, former resident of Newbern, Tennessee, died peacefully in the Brookdale COVID-19 facility in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.  Belynda and Kyle are beyond grateful to this wonderful place for their amazing care and extraordinary compassion. Of utmost gratitude is that they were able  to tell their daddy goodbye.   

Joe grew up in Newbern until he joined the U.S Army to serve as staff sergeant in the Korean Conflict.   As a result of his courageous mission he was a recipient of the Purple Heart award.

Upon his return home he became a licensed funeral director.  He worked for Johnson Funeral for numerous years.    He was respected and loved by the countless families that he served during the many years of his tenure.   After leaving the funeral business to pursue other opportunities he later returned as a manager of Curry Funeral Home in Dyersburg, Tennessee for five years.

Upon departure from Johnson’s he became the director of the Parkview Ambulance.  He later accepted the position of director for Regional Emergency Medical Service (REMS) an affiliate of the Baptist Hospital system.  In this role he managed several ambulance services throughout West Tennessee

Joe was involved in countless community and civic affairs. He served as chairman and/or commissioner for numerous boards or committees in which he was involved.  Of these, one of his proudest accomplishments is the restoration of the Newbern Depot which today is a local community historical site.  The building bares a beautifully encrypted plaque on which the first bolded name is Mayor Joe Adams.  Each year there is a town celebration known as Depot Day including bands and festivities.

Joe was the coroner for Dyer County for 17 years.  In addition, he served as an alderman for the Newbern, Tennessee for four years before becoming the elected mayor for eight terms.  The years of his dedication leave a lifelong legacy for the communities of which he was involved.

Graveside services for Joe will be 1:00 PM on Sunday, May 10, 2020 at Fairview Cemetery in Newbern, Tennessee. Officiating the service will be Dr. John Lowrance. Friends are asked to gather at the cemetery.

Joe is survived by his children, Kyle and his wife Shannon who live in Lauderdale, Mississippi.  Belynda and her partner Laura live in Birmingham, Alabama.   He is also survived by his grand daughter Madison Rose Adams who attends Mississippi State University.  He also leaves his dear friend and mother of his children Willa Dean Adams Marvin.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rome and Ruby Adams and his two brothers Boots and Jim.  Also preceding him in death are numerous aunts, uncles and cousins from the Adams and Poteet families.

Joe was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church in Newbern. On behalf of their daddy, Kyle and Belynda request that any memorials go to his church in lieu of flowers. Memorial contributions can be mailed to the Newbern First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box # 72, Newbern, Tennessee 38059.

Online condolences may be made to the family at johnsonwilliamsfuneralhome.com. Johnson-Williams Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Joe Adams.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joe Adams, please visit our floral store.