Mrs. Cathryn Webb Clack Adams, age 92 years, of Jefferson City, MO, passed away Thursday, October 25, 2012 at her home.
Cathryn was born on October 1, 1920 in Cairo, IL, the second child of the late Elsie Webb and Ernest Clack. She was raised in Jackson and Cape Girardeau, MO, graduating from Central High School and Southeast Missouri State College with a B.A. in Business and History. While attending high school and college, Cathryn formed a lasting friendship with five southeast Missouri women: Pattie Seabaugh, Betty Dunklin, Mary Spitzmiller, Mary Lou Montgomery and Mary Blue, forever known for as the “River Girls” in recognition to their annual summer gatherings at the Current River.
On March 17, 1942 at the Presidio in San Francisco, CA, Cathryn married her college sweetheart, Laurence B. Adams, Jr. When the youngest of their five children entered school, Cathryn began work as a secretary for Dr. A.C. Magill, State Representative from Cape Girardeau, who shared an office with Representative Warren E. Hearnes. Cathryn continued her work as executive secretary for Hearnes for fourteen years in the House of Representatives, Office of the Secretary of State, and the Governor’s Office, retiring in 1973.
Cathryn lived in Jefferson City for 65 years, serving on the Cole County Library Board, Grace Episcopal Church Vestry and as a faithful member of the Century Study Club. She also served as Docent at the Governor’s Mansion. Discovering tennis after retirement, she played regularly with Betty Coil, Meg Doll, Emma Stockard and Marge Blosser.
She is survived by her five children: Victoria Kornblum (Guy) of San Francisco, CA, Brigadier General Patrick Adams, USAF (Retired), (Jean) of Bulverde, TX, James Adams of Sugarland, TX, John Adams (Sandra) of Kirkwood, MO and Jeannie Doesburg (James) of Gig Harbor, WA; and by nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Major General Laurence B. Adams, Jr. USA (Retired); her brother, Alan M. Clack and her sister, Mary E. Goodwin.
A Celebration of Cathryn’s Life will be held at 3:00 PM Thursday, November 8, 2012 at Grace Episcopal Church with the Reverend Shariya Molegoda officiating. A reception will be held immediately after the celebration service in Grace Episcopal Parish Hall.
Graveside services and interment will be conducted at 11:15 AM on Friday, November 9, 2012 at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Mo.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Grace Episcopal Church.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary.
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