Emily Caroline Adams, 37, of Pinehurst, daughter of Timmy and Suzie Adams passed on June 27, 2023 at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst.
A memorial service will be held 1 PM Saturday. July 15th 2023 at Culdee Presbyterian Church in West End followed by a graveside service in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall following the graveside service.
Emily was born May 15, 1986 in Pinehurst. Despite her profound physical and mental disabilities, Emily managed to leave an incredible impact on her parents, sisters, family, friends, caregivers, and even strangers. She was loved, protected and cherished by her incredible parents for 37 years.
Emily’s inner joy, spunky personality, and pure innocence influenced many to live gratefully with compassionate and open hearts and to play and to be silly and to smile often. She also challenged her loved ones in patience and resilience as they endured, with her, the hardships of ongoing behavioral issues, secondary health issues and many hospitalizations. Despite her being totally vulnerable and having many setbacks, Emily proved over and over to have a strong will for survival and inclusion and a strong sense of purpose. She was innately sweet and gentle, playful and full of joy.
She loved being outside. Her favorite activities were throwing ball back and forth, riding the four wheeler as a child and the golf cart as an adult, feeling the wind blowing on her face and in her hair, attending her nephews’ baseball and basketball games, bouncing on the trampoline, pushing herself in her wheelchair as fast as she could go, visiting her Grandmother Smith, play-wrestling with her dad, bossing her mom around (and insisting on her special attention), spending time with her sisters, being around children, cracking herself up and belly laughing, boat rides, up-beat music, clapping her hands and shaking her head with a big smile. She fully loved to be included in play.
She was very affectionate and made her love and appreciation known. She loved to lean in for a good squeeze around her shoulders or a kiss on the cheek. She loved to be at eye-level to connect and press her forehead together with you. She gave what was termed “love taps,” a firm pop on the leg or arm, with a playful smile on her face. She was so loved and she loved BIG too.
Emily attended public school for 17 years. Her early years were spent at Sandhills Children’s Center. She then joined Pinehurst Elementary School with Mrs. Debbie Warren, who tirelessly worked to create solutions for Emily’s growth. She then progressed to West Pine Middle and then to Pinecrest Highschool. During this time, Suzie’s lifelong friend, Gail Deese, took a leap of faith to work with Emily in the school system and remained with her for 10 years, through graduation, and has gone on to help many other special needs children.
Emily’s school years were fraught with challenges and Emily pushed the boundaries of all who worked with her. Yet, it was nearly impossible not to fall in love with her and to be filled with compassion. Emily’s mother, Suzie, relentlessly fought for her to receive the best care and experiences in the education system.
After maxing out her school years, Emily required supportive care at home. Many private caregivers loved and supported Emily and her family throughout her lifetime. Lourdes Bahena came into Emily’s life when she was 17 years old and came to spend 20 years as Emily’s favorite companion and friend and most trusted caregiver. She blessed Emily with unconditional, motherly love and became family. She filled Emily’s life with happiness through the most difficult times. The family is blessed to have Lourdes in their lives forever.
Emily shared a special bond with her grandmother, Carolyn Black Smith. Emily spent many days with her Grandmother as a young child and loved her homemade cookies and special southern food. One of Emily’s favorite places to be was on her Grandmother Smith’s couch being fed, tended to and spoiled by her. Emily was always comforted by her Grandmother’s fierce love for her.
Emily’s sisters’ lives were shaped and molded in every way by Emily. They learned selflessness, compassion, humility, empathy, perseverance, fierce love and protectiveness, and the importance of advocating for people, and for doing what is right. As adults, April and Christy stayed in close proximity to “home,” knowing Emily needed them. They have supported and advocated for Emily relentlessly. April became a registered nurse due to the exposure at a very young age to the medical world. She has touched and changed many lives through her nursing career due to Emily’s influence. Christy is the most kind, patient and nurturing mother and friend due to Emily’s influence. Emily’s life has filled them with LOVE.
Emily’s parents’ lives orbited around Emily. They gave selflessly, constantly, laboriously and unconditionally and strived with all their will to include Emily, when possible. Emily was able to enjoy many of the same activities as her able-bodied peers due to the planning and efforts of her parents. She experienced horseback riding, boat rides, sledding, tubing, swimming, visiting the zoo, the state fair, the beach and sporting events. And many accommodations were made so that she could enjoy the outdoors as much as possible. Her parents’ sacrifice was always worth seeing the joy it brought to Emily’s life. Suzie’s joyful heart and upbeat attitude rarely exposed the challenges she faced every day. Timmy’s exhaustion from many sleepless nights never poured over to his physically demanding business, his determination to provide for his family, and ability to serve his clients with excellence. Emily’s love and her family’s commitment to her will forever be remembered.
Emily’s five nephews, all under age 10, have also been positively influenced by Emily. They are kind and compassionate. She absolutely loved them.
Emily’s legacy will live on. Her influence on us is engrained and will remain, even though she is now in her heavenly home. Emily’s earthly purpose has been accomplished. This world is better because of her. If Emily could speak, she might have said, “Be patient, be kind, be brave, and be joyous… Emily Caroline Adams was here!”
She is survived by her father, Timothy Samuel Adams and her mother, Suzie (Smith) Adams of Pinehurst; two sisters, April Eilert and husband Harry of Pinehurst and Christy Tucker and husband Will of Jackson Springs; her grandmother, Carolyn Smith of Pinehurst; nephews, Sam Eilert, Owen Eilert, Wyatt Tucker, Wesley Tucker, and Whitt Tucker; her close friend and caretaker, Lourdes Bahena; and many cousins, aunts and uncles.
The family would like to thank and recognize all the special teachers and caregivers that supported Emily throughout her life. Your love and special care for Emily will always be remembered.
Online condolences may be made to www.bolesfuneralhome.com
Services entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.
