Joyce Page Adams, age 88, of Winchester passed away on Wednesday, September 29, 2021, at her residence surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Lancaster, Tennessee on October 29, 1932, to the late Charlie Haskell and Hattie Nell (Winnard) Page. In 1941 the Pages moved to Smithville, and she spent her childhood as one of nine siblings on the family farm.
At the age of 19, Joyce started her career in education, teaching eight grades in a one room schoolhouse, while completing her B.S. degree in Elementary Education at Middle Tennessee State. While at college, she met her sweetheart, Dwain, and they married in 1955. After graduation they both taught high school for a year in Lawrence County, Alabama, until Dwain’s career took them to Maryland in 1956. There they started their family, spending many joyous days on the Chesapeake Bay. Joyce excelled in teaching children and adults, beginning with the fifth grade at Aberdeen Elementary School. In 1958 she was also hired to teach adult education at Harford Community College and continued to do so until 1989. In the last five years of her career, she started in a new role, teaching job skills to women who were endeavoring to enrich their lives under the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA). In her own words, “My experiences have been enriching and a joy to my heart.”
Joyce and Dwain moved back to Tennessee from Maryland after their retirement in 1989 and settled in Winchester. In retirement, Joyce stayed very busy within the community. She brought her special style of organization and enthusiasm to each group in which she participated. She was a long-time member of the Franklin County Arts Guild, member of the Highland Rim Chapter of Tennessee Ornithological Society, member of the Family Community Education of Belvidere, volunteer for the National Active and Retired Federal Employees organization, and a member of Harmony Cumberland Presbyterian Church. A nature enthusiast, Joyce enjoyed birdwatching and being near (or on) the water. She also enjoyed crocheting, knitting, and playing board games such as Scrabble and Pegs and Jokers with her family and friends. Joyce will be remembered for touching the lives of so many with her playful spirit, motivating words, and kind deeds.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Roy Garland Page, Dennis Brown Page, and Nellie Frances Page Hensley.
Joyce is survived by her loving husband of sixty-six years, Gerald Dwain Adams; two children and their spouses, Cheryl Page Adams (Harry Evart Palmer) of Washington, Texas, and Jeffrey Dwain (Kimberly Acree) Adams of Lincoln University, Pennsylvania; four grandchildren, Hunter Thomas (Caitlin Burkhart) Adams of Downingtown, Pennsylvania, Chase Alexander Adams of Honey Brook, Pennsylvania, Sean Pierce Adams of Lincoln University, Pennsylvania, and Caroline Jane Adams of Lincoln University, Pennsylvania; five siblings, Bobbye Jean Page Thomas of Smithville, Annetta Ruth Page (Warren) Johns of Lorton, Virginia, Glen Harold (Mary Lynn) Page of Smithville, Billy Richard (Nancy) Page of Eatonton, Georgia, and Faye Page Sandosky of Smithville, and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 2-3 pm on Saturday, October 30, 2021, at Moore-Cortner Funeral Home at 300 First Ave NW, Winchester, TN. A memorial service was held Saturday, October 30, 2021 at Moore-Cortner Funeral Home with Dr. Joseph Butler officiating.
Online condolences may be offered at www.moorecortner.com.
The family has requested that donations in Joyce’s memory be made either to the Franklin County Arts Guild scholarship fund, mailed to Artisan Depot, c/o Franklin County Arts Guild, PO Box 545, Cowan, TN 37318 or online at www.franklincoarts.org, or to the Harmony Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 8891 Lynchburg Road, Winchester, TN.
Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, Winchester, was in charge of the arrangements.
Smithville Review
(Smithville, Tenn.)
Nov. 3, 2021
