James Wallace Adams

Notes:

From an article posted at:

http://www.truthmagazine.com/archives/volume31/GOT031318.htm

"Marking Them That So Walk:" In Honor Of James W. Adams

Randy Harshbarger Mt. Pleasant, Texas

Brethren, by ye imitators together of me, and mark them that so walk even as ye have us for an ensample" (Phil. 3:17). Taking to "heart Paul's divine injunction to "mark" ("behold, watch, contemplate," Vine, Vol. 3, p. 43), those faithful men who provide examples worthy of imitation, we use this opportunity to call attention to the life and work of James W. Adams. For fifty plus years, brother Adams has devoted his life and energies to the proclamation and defense of the Truth. His concern has ever been for the spiritual health and prosperity of God's family. Such an example needs to be noted. Such I believe, will help encourage those who have lived during the same time and under some of the same circumstances as brother Adams; it will also help inspire younger preachers and younger Christians everywhere to press on faithfully in the Lord's cause. Several years ago, Cecil Willis wrote an article, "Putting Old Preachers on the Shelf" (Truth Magazine, Vol. XVII, No. 5, pp. 3-6). Among other things, brother Willis pointed out the tendency of some brethren to reject certain preachers solely upon the basis of age. This in my judgment is a mistake. It is sad and alarming to hear some second and third generation preachers (and other Christians) deride and criticize those of the past. Faithful men who fought many battles for truth are rejected and their preaching is criticized as being out of date. With this attitude present in too many, I am afraid we are headed in the wrong direction. In brother Adams' own words:

What churches of the Lord need is not technical experts to streamline their activities and oil the wheels of complicated organizational activity, but men thoroughly schooled in the gospel of Christ and dedicated to the salvation of the souls of eternity-bound men and women ... Instead, give us more John the Baptists, schooled in the rude wilderness of study, prayer, and meditation, clothed in camel's hair and eating locusts and wild honey, but animated by holy fire from off the altar of purity and truth (from Timberland Drive church of Christ bulletin, November 2, 1985).

Early Life

James Wallace Adams was born August 27, 1914, in Brawley, California. His parents were Felix A. and Mary Roberta (Mittie) Adams. In 1920 the family moved to Texas. Some of brother Adams' ancestors were early settlers of Texas. His grandfather, R.L. Bates was a pioneer preacher of the gospel. Brother Adams graduated from high school at La Pryor, Texas (1931), and later attended Freed-Hardeman College, Henderson, Tennessee. Brother Adams obeyed the gospel in 1926. Being encouraged to preach by Walter Leamons, he preached his first sermon on December 31st, 1933. Dedicating himself to the Lord's cause, he has never looked back. For over fifty years, James W. Adams has been preaching the unsearchable riches of Christ. When brother Adams started his life's work, he preached for several churches in the Hill country of Texas (Menard, Brady), but he considers Vivian, Louisiana, as his first located work.

James W. Adams was married to Gertrude Leamons of Grapeland, Texas, on July 30th, 1936. Brother and sister Adams have three children', two daughters and a son. Jimmie Nell McLemore and her family live in San Augustine, Texas. Patricia Spivey resides in Lufkin, and Robert L. Adams lives in Humble, Texas. With great pride (but pardonable!), brother and sister Adams speak of their children and grandchildren often (especially the grandchildren!).

Brother Adams has done local work in the following places: Temple, Longview, Beaumont (twice), San Antonio, Baytown, Nacogdoches (twice), Huntington, Center, Henderson, Terrell (all in Texas); Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Paducah, Kentucky; Selmer, Tennessee; and Senatobia, Mississippi. As you can see, brother Adams has been primarily a "Texas" preacher. Meeting work has carried him into some twenty-five states. In 1975, he and Foy Vinson made a preaching trip to Italy. For many years the Pruett and Lobit church in Baytown, where brother Adams preached in the early 1970s, has supported preachers in Italy and Sicily. Brother Adams continues his interest in the work in Italy.

Retiring from local work in 1983, brother and sister Adams moved back to Lufkin. They are members of the Timberland Drive church of Christ. Of course, brother Adams hasn't really retired. He continues to teach a Bible class at Timberland Drive and preaches when needed. At the present time he is driving every Sunday to Broaddus, Texas, to preach for the church there. Timberland Drive has had a two-preacher arrangement for some years, in which a younger man can work with an older, mature preacher, thus gaining much needed experience and instruction. Brother Adams helps with this program. What a great benefit to those who can learn from him!

As A Preacher and Writer Gospel Guardian

Others will look at the preaching and writing of James W. Adams in this special issue, but permit these few observations. Believing the printed page to be an effective medium for teaching vital truths of God's word, brother Adams began writing for papers published by brethren in the mid 1930s. However, it was not until the mid 1940s that he stepped up his writing efforts. In fact it was at the insistence of Foy E. Wallace, Jr., that brother Adams began writing regularly for the Bible Banner, being being made an associate editor in 1947. While brother Adams has never sought controversy for its sake alone, neither has he ever turned away from any issue, when truth was at stake. Controversy has often been thrust upon him. Due to his keen intellect and diligent preparation he has addressed himself time and again, to live issues that have sought to destroy and harm the Lord's church. Hence, his writings in The Bible Banner were of a controversial nature, dealing mainly with efforts of some to get the college into the budgets of churches, and premillennialism. Clear and precise in his writing (as in his preaching), brother Adams can get to the heart of a matter, and bring pertinent passages to bear on whatever subject he might be discussing.

Even now, brother Adams is working on a book dealing with hermeneutics. After many years of study, he is certainly able to write such a book. It will be a welcome addition to those who love the truth and desire to understand and apply it properly. Too, he is working on a devotional type book, that will contain short articles of an inspirational, reflective nature.

I have had the privilege of hearing brother Adams preach many times. I have many of his sermons on tape. After hearing him preach, you know you have heard a Bible-filled, true-to-life sermon. With little sympathy for watered down, soft-soap "sermonettes," brother Adams is first and last a preacher of the gospel! His sermons are filled with Scripture after Scripture, properly used and applied. What an example to this generation of preachers!

A Personal Note

My friendship with brother Adams goes back some seventeen years. He performed the wedding ceremony when Marilyn and I got married. Since that time we have been in contact often. When I first started preaching (in Alto, Texas), brother Adams was living in Beaumont, but soon moved to Lufkin, and was editing The Gospel Guardian. I sought his advice and counsel many times. He was always willing to instruct, study with, and guide me in some decisions that had to be made, or some problems that often faced younger preachers. Bother Adam has always been willing to help younger men, just staring out as preachers, in spite of the immaturity displayed by some. For this I will ever be grateful.

James Adams is sometimes depicted as cold and aloof. Nothing could be further from the truth. He is a serious man, who carries himself with assurance and dignity. However, he appreciates the lighter side and good human as much as anyone. Of course, his humor is never coarse or out of place. And no, he doesn't always wear a tie (but it would be alright if he did)! One day we went out fishing for catfish on Sam Rayburn Reservoir. It was time for lunch, I inquired about some soap to get the "stink bait" off my hands. Brother Adams replay was, "Go ahead and eat, and ask no question for conscience's sake." A man of the Book, even on the lake. I have heard brother Adams preach with great emotion, concerning the death of our Savior. With great tenderness I have heard him speak of days gone by, of former friends who have departed from the faith, and of fellow soldiers of the cross, who hand in hand fought valiantly in the Lord's army. A few years ago, I listened for some three hours as he detailed the institutional controversy from beginning to present. It brings great pain to his heart to remember once faithful preachers who have turned away from the truth. All of this is my way of saying, that there is another side to James W. Adams that many perhaps have not seen. This is a shame.

I have been in brother and sister Adams' home many times. I have always felt "at home" and have appreciated the warm hospitality extended to me. Sister Adams has ever been a source of strength and encouragement to brother Adams. This past July 30th, they celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary. Their love for each other is strong and unspoken, but seen by all. Sister Adams has always encouraged me in my efforts to preach and I am thankful for her friendship and counsel.

When not in meetings or preaching elsewhere brother and sister Adams are at home at 1402 Robinwood Drive, Lufkin, Texas 75901. My prayer is for their continued good health and well being. While inadequate, I say thank you for your friendship, your life, your example.

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 23, pp. 712-713 December 3, 1987

James married Fannie Gertrude Leamons on 30 Jul 1936 in Texas. Fannie was born on 6 Mar 1914 in Texas; died on 18 Oct 2004 in Lufkin, Angelina County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

SAN AUGUSTINE TRIBUNE 14 March 1996 (page 1 w/photo)

LIONS CLUB - Jimmie Nell McLemore, Teacher, Sculptor, Painter, Artist, Exotic Cook-etc, presented a program to the Lions Club Thursday at Doodles Restaurant on wood carving in which she displayed a number of her carvings to the Club. Dr. C. R. Haley, right was program chairman for the month of March.

Obituary

Jimmie Nell Adams McLemore, a longtime resident of San Augustine, Texas, died peacefully on Tuesday, October 18, 2022. She was born on February 7, 1938, to the late James Wallace and Gertrude (Leamons) Adams in Grapeland, Texas. She was a Christian and a member of the Ratcliff church of Christ.

"Miss Jimmie," as many knew her, is survived by her husband of 64 years, Dr. Henry E. "Doc" McLemore of San Augustine, Texas; three sons, Clay (Kathy) of Hallsville, Texas, Michael (Gwyneth) of Huntsville, Alabama, and Marty (Karen) of San Augustine, grandchildren, Amanda (Jared) Jimison, Jonathan (Crystal) McLemore, Jennie (Bryan) Garlock, Timmy Black, Cynthia (Chris) Draper, Emily (Trenton) Barksdale, along with ten great-grandchildren; a brother, Robert Adams of Houston; and a sister, Patricia Adams Spivey of Georgetown.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Gertrude Adams, and her son, Kristopher.

A visitation will be held at Wyman Roberts Funeral Home (316 W. Columbia Street, San Augustine, Texas) on Thursday, October 20, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., and a funeral service Friday, October 21, at 1:00 p.m. at the Wyman Roberts Chapel followed by interment at Liberty Hill Memorial Garden, Hwy 147 N. San Augustine, Texas.

Jimmie Nell was born in rural Houston County in the home of her maternal grandparents, Mattie Ann and William Duke Leamon. Her father was a burgeoning young evangelist widely used in the region by local churches of Christ. She quickly became accustomed to moving from place to place as required by her father's work. Jimmie McLemore was an outstanding student achieving many academic honors. She graduated from Beaumont High School in 1956. She attended San Antonio College before transferring to Stephen F. Austin State University, where she met her future husband and lifelong companion, Henry E. McLemore, at Mound and Starr church of Christ. The two wed in 1958 in Idaho, then honeymooned for the summer above the timberline in Oregon. They lived in a lookout house spotting for the U.S. Forest Service while Henry studied for his entrance exams to medical school.

Miss Jimmie completed her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at Stephen F. Austin and East Texas State University, certifying her to teach Art, English, and History. She began her career in education at the Houston ISD, working to support her husband until he completed Dental School at the University of Texas Dental Branch in Houston. She taught her first love, Art, and Latin at Lanier Junior High School. The McLemores returned to Henry's native home of San Augustine in the summer of 1963, where they established his dental practice on Maple Street, serving the community for more than fifty-six years. Jimmie worked as a reading specialist for San Augustine ISD for three years until she was forced to take an eleven-year hiatus from her beloved profession because of a severe medical condition. During that time, she continued her graduate courses in education. Mrs. McLemore returned to teaching in 1977 as the eighth-grade history teacher at San Augustine Middle School. Later she moved to San Augustine High School, where she taught in the GT program, then taught Senior English until her retirement. In retirement, Miss Jimmie returned to the high school to teach Art and Graphic Design in SAISD's technical program for another ten years. She touched thousands of young lives and positively impacted hundreds of colleagues.

Many in our community knew Miss Jimmie from behind the counter at the dental office. She operated a lab where she used her artistic talents to aid Dr. McLemore in making many dental devices enjoyed by thousands of people from all parts of this region and the country. Her abilities were admired and appreciated by those who sought repairs to their dentures at the most inopportune times. She was always happy to oblige and quickly help.

"Miss Mac," as some lovingly referred to her, was also a master chef. Her Texas Bar-B-Que and Mexican food, especially her Hot Tamales, are famous throughout the area. Jimmie McLemore was a treasure to this community, beloved by all. Wife, Mother, Mamaw, Teacher, Artist, Chef, and Friend all are descriptive of our sweet Miss Jimmie. She will be missed by all.

Visit www.WymanRobertsFuneralHome.com for memories and condolences.

Arrangements are under the direction of Wyman Roberts Funeral Home in San Augustine, Texas.

Jimmie married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Funeral services for Kris McLemore, 32, of Dallas, were held Thursday, March 12, 1998 at the San Augustine Church of Christ.

Mr. McLemore died Monday, March 9, at St. David Hospital in Austin after suffering an apparent heart attack. Mr. McLemore and his brother Marty, of San Augustine had returned from Lake Travis when he encountered difficulty in breathing.

Kristopher Lynne McLemore, a son of Dr. and Mrs. Henry McLemore, was born in Houston and attended and graduated from San Augustine schools.

Funeral services were conducted by Bro. Don Skipper of the San Augustine Church of Christ and Bro. D.E. Bowman of the Southside Church of Christ in Pasedena.

Burial was in the Liberty Hills Memorial Gardens under direction of the Wyman Roberts Funeral Home.

Survivors include: his wife, Christine McLemore of Dallas; parents Dr. and Mrs. Henry McLemore of San Augustine; grandmother, Elma McLemore of San Augustine; and grandparents James and Gertrude Adams of Lufkin; three brothers, Clay McLemore of Longview, Mike McLemore of Richmond, Va and Marty McLemore of San Augustine; he was a grandson of the late Percy McLemore.

Source: San Augustine Tribune, March 19, 1998


Kris McLemore, 32, of Dallas died Monday, March 9, 1998, at St. David Hospital in Austin. McLemore was born November 5, 1965 in Houston and was a student and construction worker. He was a member of I EEE at DeVay Institute.

Survivors: his wife, Christine McLemore of Dallas; parents Henry E. and Jimmie (Adams) McLemore of San Augustine; his brothers Clay McLemore of Longview, Mike McLemore of Richmond, VA and Marty McLemore of San Augustine; and grandparents, James and Gertrude Adams of Lufkin and Elma McLemore of San Augustine. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Percy McLemore.

Funeral services were held March 12 at San Augustine Church of Christ with Don Skipper and Dee Bowman officating. Interment followed at Liberty Hill Memorial Gardens.

Arrangements were handled by Wyman Roberts Funeral Directors in San Augustine.

Source: The Sabine County Reporter March 18, 1998

Kristopher married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]