Obituary of Norma Joan Petit Adams

Norma Joan Petit Adams passed away on Sunday, November 4, 2018.  She was born on August 12, 1929 in Huntington, West Virginia, and was the youngest child of the late Richard A. and Rachael Phillips Petit.  She was preceded in death by her sisters and their husbands, Betty Petit Atkins (Leonard); Beverly Petit Griffith (Bryce) and their daughter Saundra G. Heizer; and her brother and his wife Richard (Mary) Petit.  Norma graduated from Huntington High School in 1947 and attended Marshall University for 3 semesters in Home Economics.  In March 1948 she married Russell Keith Adams who preceded her in death in December 2014.

Norma is survived by four sons, 9 grandchildren and 2 step-grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.  Russell K. Adams II (Linda) of Falling Waters, WV and their children: Rachael Adams, Chattanooga, TN, Joshua Adams, Orlando, FL, Zachary Adams and Jacob Adams Falling Waters, WV; William F. Adams (Dana) of Wilmington, NC and their children:  Christopher (Marina) Adams and son Killian of Raleigh, NC, Elizabeth (Kiel) Kurkowski of Vancouver, WA and Jill Adams of Wilmington, NC; Phillip A. Adams (Gary Norris) of Sugar Grove, NC and their children, Sheena Norris Gafos of Timonium, MD and Sean Franco-Norris of Phoenix, AZ; and Glen A. Adams and his children: Kelcey Adams and Benjamin Adams all of Ocala.  She is also survived by 2 nieces and 8 nephews.

Norma dedicated her life to the care of her husband, children and grandchildren.  She was a gifted seamstress, knitter and crocheted many afghans for family and friends.  She was an excellent cook and baker, enjoyed playing the piano, singing hymns, and reading the Bible.  Always serving others, she was an active in Rockville Christian Church in Rockville, MD where she sang in the choir, attended and taught Sunday school, participated in the women’s group, and volunteered in the church’s nursing home.  Upon Keith’s retirement, she and their two youngest sons moved to Ocala.  Norma and Keith were members of Central Christian Church for many years participating in choir and yearly Christmas and Easter programs.  They also volunteered for Hospice.

Funeral services will be 11:00am Thursday, November 8, 2018 with visitation one hour prior at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, 910 SE Silver Springs Blvd. in Ocala. (352) 629-7171.  Graveside services will follow at Highland Memorial Park in Ocala.  Online Condolences may be expressed at www.hiers-baxley.com.