Dortha Jean Yates Adams passed away peacefully in her sleep May 22, 2024 at the age of 92 years, seven months. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 25, 2024 at the Wallace Funeral Home, Milton. Burial will follow in Forest Memorial Park, Milton. Born in Milton, WV on October 10, 1931, the daughter of the late Rev. Homer W. and Sophia (Elliott) Yates. Also preceding her in death was her husband of many years, James M. Adams, a son, J. Stephen Adams, and a daughter, Nancy M. (Adams) Dillon, brothers, Paul and Daniel Yates, and sisters, Rosemary (Yates) Cooper and Carole (Yates) Coleman. Dortha is survived by her daughter, Teresa (Adams) Adkins, a son, John “Matt” Adams and his wife, Tina, all of Milton, WV, and son-in-law, Larry Dillon of Glenville, WV. In addition to their four children, Dortha and James were blessed with 10 grandchildren: Joshua Adams, Stephany (Adams) Black, Jennifer (Dillon) McNeely, Katherine (Dillon) Meeker, Amanda (Dillon) Williams, James Dillon, Jamie Adkins, Johnathan Adams, Alicia (Adams) Mays, and Krystal (Adams) Freeman; 35 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Dortha graduated from Milton High School and Huntington Junior College of Business; she was a professionally secretary/bookkeeper until her retirement from Wetterau Corp. after which she devoted her time to caring for her husband, mother and brother until their passing. Dortha was a faithful follower of the Lord from early childhood and often accompanied her father on horseback or by wagon for services at the many churches on his circuit. She was a lifelong member of the Lower Creek United Methodist Church, serving as piano player, choir leader, Sunday School teacher, and held other various positions within the church. She was a member of the Milton Senior Citizens and enjoyed playing in their Fun Band, entertaining at numerous churches, nursing homes, and other venues. Dortha loved to garden, sew, quilt, read, cook, and spend time with family and friends. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Cynthia Barnett and the staff of Country Villa Care in Buffalo, WV, for their exemplary care of Dortha for the last several years. She was genuinely treated like family by staff and other residents, who lovingly called her “Ms. Dortha”. Our mother will be greatly missed by the many who knew her, loved her, cherished her, but we have peace in the knowledge that she is with her Heavenly Father and the Angels that greeted her. “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Henceforth, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday prior to the service. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.timeformemory.com/wallace.
