KOKOMO – The Rev. Judith “Judy” K. Adams, 66, Kokomo, was called home Nov. 24, 2013. She was born March 31, 1947, to Howard and Laura Harper in Kokomo. On May 2, 1987, at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, Kokomo, she was married to Ken Adams, who survives. She graduated from Kokomo High School in 1965, after which she attended Indiana University Kokomo, and the University of Texas in Brownsville, Texas. She also graduated from Garrett Theological Seminary in Evanston Illinois, and the Preaching Academy. She worked for Motorola as a customer service representative, and also Schillinger & Associates before moving with her husband to Brownsville, Texas. While there, she was the plant manager of a wiring harness manufacturing plant, and became the director of the foreign trade zone for the Port of Brownsville, Texas. She returned to Kokomo in 1993 and went into the ministry in 1997. She served these churches during her ministry: Twelve Mile UMC; Bethlehem UMC, Twelve Mile; Parr UMC and Cassville UMC, Kokomo; Outreach Pastor for Grace UMC, Kokomo. She was interim pastor at Burlington UMC before being appointed to Pleasant Grove UMC in Warsaw. She then went on a short sabbatical and was reappointed to North Liberty UMC and Sumption Prairie UMC. She retired in 2011, and did pulpit fill in Marion, Burlington, Goldsmith and lastly, Grant UMC, Fairmount, and Summitville UMC. She was an active participant in several conference and district committees within the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. She was the first head of the Order of Local Pastors in the New Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. She was instrumental in developing the training courses for Pulpit Supply Pastors. She also, while at Parr UMC and Grace UMC, helped put together the Master Teacher Tutoring Program. She served on several Emmaus Walks as spiritual leader. She also served on the original board for Kokomo Urban Outreach. To say that she loved her cats would be an understatement; she had cat memorabilia throughout her home and her church offices of her beloved cats Tigger and Bella. She also loved to quilt and paint with her children and grandchildren, as well as enjoying music including choir, and hand bells. Also surviving is son, Mike (and spouse Brandy) Conner; daughter April Campbell; stepson Brian (and spouse Joselyn) Adams; nine grandchildren: Stefani (and spouse Seth) Stucker, Taylor Conner, Michael Conner Jr., Shelby Cree, Brandon Cree, Joey Adams, Leah Conner, Gabriella Stucker and Peyton McKinney; brother-in-law Jack (and spouse Ann) Adams; and family friend, Tina Valadez. She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Laura Harper, and stepson, Brad Adams. The family thanks the Hospice Nurses at Saint Joseph Hospital: Anita, Betty, Julie and Deb for their special care. Funeral Service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Main Street United Methodist Church, 830 S. Main Street, Kokomo, with the Rev. Nancy S. Blevins officiating, assisted by Dr. Phil Granger, her District Superintendent the Rev. Michelle Cobb, and the Rev. Riley Case. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Calling will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church. Ellers Mortuary Webster Street Chapel, 3400 S. Webster Street, Kokomo, is in charge of arrangements. ***** Memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society, Main Street United Methodist Church or an organization of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be sent via www.ellersmortuary.com
