John Tyran "Snook" Adams, born August 1, 1937, passed away at 84 on September 7, 2021 in his home of Lonsdale, AR after courageously battling lung cancer, surrounded by his family. His remarkable life exemplified the love of Jesus to all he encountered, living a life fully devoted to the Lord. He was preceded in death by his wife of 46 years, Julia Ann (Harp) Adams, his parents Jannie (Herring) and John Doyle Adams, his sister Martha Jane (Adams) May, his brothers Don Hyran (2 months) and Billy Adams (age 5), his son-in- law Phil Skaggs and niece Donna (May) Millis. He is survived by his daughters: Melissa Ann Skaggs of Hot Springs, Pamela Jane (Jim) Moore of Little Rock and Laura Elizabeth (Isti) Adams of Lonsdale. Brothers: Joe Adams of Amity, Tommy (Fredda) Adams of Amity, and sister Bonnie (Jerry) Turner of Glenwood. Grandchildren: Jarred (Shelby) and Steven Jacobs, Casey, Carly, and Amanda Skaggs, and Caroline Moore, plus great-grandchildren: Kiley, Kaidyn, Kohen, and Knox, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Born with bright blue eyes and white cotton hair, his incredible mother Jannie Adams birthed him and his twin, Don, on the hottest day on record actually on August 2, 1937, in a house without electricity or running water with only shutters over the windows. The traveling doctor who took a while to get there signed the birth certificate with the wrong date. John Adams was born and raised in Rosboro, AR, until moving to Caney Valley in 1946. He and his family were migrant workers, mostly in Indiana and Texas picking tomatoes and cotton even at the age of 9 years old, and then Colorado in timber work as a teenager. John was no stranger to hunger, malnutrition and suffering from being cold due to thin clothing and poverty. All the children contributed in working to put food on the table. As a young child, his ability to work rivaled grown men in the field and he won many contests even against the hardest and strongest men around picking tomatoes and pulling a 100 pound sack of cotton. He graduated from Kirby High school at age 16 in 1954. His work history also included the Glove factory, Safeway bakery, and finally Arkansas Aluminum Alloys in Hot Springs for 38 years until retirement. In his later years, he was known for spending 12 hours a day working outside: tilling, hoeing, planting, tending, watering, and harvesting countless vegetable and fruits over the years. He constructed bamboo lattice canopies for his tomatoes, which he was known for, the Adams tomato from seed from the 1930's. He shared his bounties with countless hungry souls, setting up in parking lots giving his beautiful organic produce to those he thought might need it.  Many times he loaded up his car with produce of watermelons, cantaloupes, tomatoes, peppers, and okra plus other bounty and drove to Little Rock feeding centers for the hungry and needy. This was not uncommon for him during his entire adult life.  Growing up hunting for food was vital to his family's survival.  Even in his last weeks, he spoke strongly that America should never give up the precious 2 ^nd amendment right to bear arms for protection and for hunting for food.

His testimony of the best day of his life is when he surrendered his life to Christ at age 19 and was called to preach the gospel at New Galilee Missionary Baptist Church in Amity. He said he heard the Holy Spirit call him, he heard His voice. He committed to Christ in the fall but did not get baptized until the winter in January in the freezing cold Caddo River where afterwards there was singing and fellowship with his mother and siblings and other family to witness his baptism.  He would be forever known as John the Baptist! He preached countless revivals and pastored many Missionary Baptist churches over the years in southwest and central AR, including: Salem Clark MBC, Bethlehem MBC, Caney Valley MBC, Graceland MBC, Sulphur Springs MBC, and Avilla MBC. He attended Antioch Missionary Baptist Seminary in Little Rock. He even organized seminary training in Pike County to train preachers and many for other denominations came to learn.  He married countless couples and buried many also. In the last decade of his life, he was an active member of Francois MBC in Malvern and he adored his church family and served faithfully in any capacity there was a need. The Lord blessed him beyond measure to reconnect with his Seminary roommate, W. A. Dillard, who became his pastor over the last decade. What a joy to have a divine friendship that spanned over 60 years.

John was a devoted husband to Julia whom he met after seeing her sing with the Baptist School of Nursing choir in Little Rock. He sprinted to the bus and blocked her from leaving until she agreed to date him and they had a Christmas wedding on December 15, 1961. He was an incredibly faithful, loving, and devoted husband, caring for her after decades of illness until the very end, never leaving her side.  He was and is the epitome of loving his wife as Christ loves the church, giving up his life for His bride. Many were inspired by his love for his wife and challenged to love their wives more deeply. He was and is the Daddiest of all Daddies, tenderly loving his girls even as a mother would love her babies. His lap in the rocking chair was large enough for 3 little girls at one time and his melody of songs and deep vibrating chest soothed his girls and grandchildren to sleep for years. One of the songs he would sing while rocking his babies was to the tune of "The Red River Valley," with the lines, "May I sleep in your barn tonight Mister, It's so cold lying here on the ground……" John would tenderly wash his girls' hair in the sink with a towel rolled up under their necks and comb their long hair out every week. He left them a legacy of love and sacrifice that is unmatched. During the years, John T. Adams pastored and preached revivals and he would let his girls wear his suit coat which always smelled like Old Spice and cinnamon certs in the 1960's and 70's. His coat of course was all encompassing to his small girls. He loved to sing with his family and their favorite hymn to sing as a special was "Mansion Over the Hilltop."    His hugs, alligator scruffy kisses, and snuggles were the best his girls and grandchildren experienced. He was the kind of Papawl that gave himself 100% and was the best Papawl the grandchildren could ever have and was fully and joyfully devoted to them with his time and energy, but also financially, emotionally, and spiritually. His voice was always comforting, reassuring, and loving 'til the end. His love for his family will remain forever and has left a legacy for future generations.

John T. Adams' faith in God and His Holy Word was the bedrock foundation of his life that would carry him to the end of his earthly journey right into his heavenly reward in peace and glory. He shined with the Love of Jesus. He had an infectiously joyful personality and he seemed larger than his frame, and he never met a stranger. He had grit to the bone, a pristine work ethic and integrity, was a producer, gentle but strong protector, teacher, fiery preacher, builder, mechanic, inventor, self-made engineer, tinkerer, gardener extraordinaire, story teller-historian, a care giver and seed-saver. He lived the parable of the sower like Jesus. A faithful friend and encourager, he was generous with all he had, would give you the buttons off his shirt and the shirt off his back, and his last dime. He was the most selfless person. Welcoming all to his table, a father to the fatherless, and a giver, was John T. Adams. Faithfulness, strength, kindness, forgiveness, loyalty, humor, and love were his foundation. He was known to say, "Keep on keepin' on," and "reach down and get that intestinal fortitude." In his last few months, all he wanted to do was contribute in some way. A person's contribution to others was so important to him.  Even in his weakness and dependence in the end, all he could think about what how he could give in some way. He was a man who worked with his hands to make something beautiful. Wherever he went, everyone really did know his name, he was a friend to all he met and could not help but spread the Love of Jesus. One scripture that exemplifies who he was is found in Psalm 82:3-4. "Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. He lived this verse. One of the last verses he lovingly spoke of in a soft whisper was John 14:1-6. This is his last message to all of you. Let it resound in your heart forever. Jesus said:

1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John T. Adams' family would like to give a special thank-you to his CARTI extended health care team, Dr. Mark Albey, Saline Memorial Home Health, Little Rock Hospice Home Care, and Pastor W. A. and Laura Dillard and the entire Francois Church family for all their love, kindness, and support.  They would also like to express how grateful they are for all the friends and relatives, for all the prayers, messages, cards and financial support over this last year especially. Thank you for holding the family up during this last difficult year. Your love for John and his family has made all the difference in the world.

Memorial service will be held this Saturday, September 25, 2021 at 2pm at Francois Missionary Baptist Church, 566 Francois Rd. Malvern AR, 72104.  All are welcome to join the reception, provided by the lovely ladies of the church following the service in Fellowship Hall.