James William “Jim” Adams, 82, of Sylvania, GA passed Thursday afternoon, April 11, 2024 at the Optim Medical Center Screven, surrounded by his family.
Jim was born on the family farm in Wayne County, Tennessee on January 9, 1942 to Ernest Floyd and Sula Mae Carden Adams. Jim reflected they were the most honest and hard working people he had ever known. Upon graduation from high school, he volunteered for the draft and entered the U.S. Army. Appointments while on active duty included Fort Hood, Texas and Gelenhausen, Germany. Upon discharge from active duty, he served two years as an active reservist and lastly two years as inactive reservist in Savannah, GA. While in Savannah, he was hired by the Savannah Bank and Trust and filled many roles before being promoted branch manager and then transferred to Sylvania, GA as President of Bank of Screven. While in Sylvania, he accepted the job of President of a locally owned and independent bank, Farmers and Merchants Bank, where he would serve the citizens of the community until his retirement at the age of 75, and served on the Board of Directors until his death. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Sylvania, member and past president of the Sylvania Rotary Club, and former member of the Jaycees Club of Savannah, Screven County Hospital Board, Ogeechee Technical College Board of Directors, and Georgia Bankers Association. He was a graduate of the Georgia Banking School of UGA and Banking School of LSU, and was the recipient of the 2004 Rotary Citizen of the Year, Ogeechee Technical College’s Leadership Award, and in 2017 the Community Bankers Association of Georgia Lifetime Service Award.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Lou Nelle Adams Dean; and brother, Amos Floyd Adams.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Eva Evelyn Woods Adams of Sylvania; two sons, James Michael Adams and Christopher Brent Adams, both of Savannah, GA; sisters-in-law, Jane Carolyn Dessellier of Coon Rapids, MN and Judy Adams of Waynesboro, TN; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held on Monday, April 15, 2024 at 2:00pm in the First Baptist Church of Sylvania with Rev. Dr. Charlie Cooper and Rev. Clint Sheppard officiating. The family received friends in the Family Life Center from noon until service time.
Honorary pallbearers were active and past members of the Sylvania Rotary Club.
Friends may sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.com
Joiner Anderson Funeral Home Screven Chapel was in charge of all arrangements.
