He was born in Cleveland County on June 17, 1948 to the late William John Adams and Amanda Josephine Allen Adams. He was a retired carpenter and a member of Faith Baptist Church, Forest City.

In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by three brothers, William David, Daniel and Larry Adams.

He is survived by his wife of twenty-three years Sherry Ann Reynolds Adams; three daughters, Insley Dawn Osteen of Shelby, Sheree Dawn Cunningham of Shelby, and Sherry Marie Adams of Shelby; brother, Wayne Adams of Shelby; two sisters, Mary Sue Adams Campbell of Cherryville and Kay Adams Barnett of Shelby; and four grandchildren, Amanda Adams, Katelyn Clary, Mary Elizabeth Lane, and Jake Jackson Cunningham.