Mary Katherine Adams

Greenville - Mary Katherine Adams of Pass Christian died Wednesday, December 27, 2017. She was born August 3, 1947 in Baton Rouge, LA. In 1948 her family moved to Greenville, MS where she lived during her formative years. 

Mary Katherine graduated from Greenville High School where as a Senior, she was elected Homecoming Queen, Head Cheerleader, and Most Beautiful. She was selected as a member of the Hall of Fame, National Honor Society, and National Thespian Society. She graduated from Mississippi University for Women with Bachelor of Science and Master of Science Degrees in Home Economics Education. She completed post graduate courses in Home Economics at the University of Southern Mississippi. While a student at MUW, she was a member of the Gauntlet Social Club and Phi Epsilon Omicron. She represented Mississippi University for Women in the Miss Mississippi Pageant as Miss W and was chosen Second Runner-Up to Miss Mississippi in 1966. She was also elected by the MUW Student Body in campus wide elections as Most Beautiful and Most Charming. She represented Sigma Chi Fraternity at Mississippi State University as Derby Day Queen. She was a Little Sister of Minerva for the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity at Mississippi State University. She was selected to be a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha Dream Court at Mississippi State University.

While a student at MUW, Mary Katherine served the State of Mississippi as Miss Hospitality. She was selected in 1967 when WLOX-TV Studios were located on the first floor of the Buena Vista Hotel in Biloxi, MS. She traveled 69,000 miles throughout America that year representing Mississippi at Travel and Tourism Shows scheduled by the Mississippi Travel and Tourism Department.

While attending Graduate School at MUW, she was employed by MUW as one of the two instructors teaching Personal Development to one half of the Freshman Class. Upon graduation from Graduate School at MUW, Mary Katherine began her teaching career at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Perkinston Campus. She was the Home Economics Instructor at the college for 12 years and was selected the Perkinston Campus Instructor of the Year in 1980. In 1982 she made a career change and became employed with Connecticut Mutual Life as a Life Underwriter and NASD Registered Representative. She joined her husband's existing business in Gulfport, MS and worked in this career full time for 25 years.

Upon her retirement from full time employment, she pursued her love for watercolor painting. She studied painting at William Carey College on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and the New Orleans Academy of Fine Art in New Orleans, LA. She also enjoyed attending many art workshops. She was a member of Gulfport Junior Woman's Club, Billikins Mardi Gras Organization, Mississippi University for Women Alumni Association, St. Mark's Episcopal Church, the Great Southern Club, Pass Christian Yacht Club Ladies Auxiliary, the Pass Christian Historical Society, and the Perky Pass Pearls Luncheon Group.

Mary Katherine is survived by her loving husband, John S. "Johnny" Adams; her sister, Marsha Helen Morphis Barenis; her nieces, Elizabeth Morphis Barenis, Amy Ashley Barenis, Melissa Adams White; her nephew, William Brent Adams; and her grandniece, Abigail Adams. She is also survived by her many Sumrall/Thompson cousins, her many wonderful and caring friends, as well as her beloved pets, Poppy and Gracie.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Marshall Ray Morphis and Helen Sumrall Morphis, and her husband's parents, William F. "Bill" Adams and Lena Florence Spight Adams. Also preceding her death are her husband's brother, William Bert Adams and his wife, Diana Shaw Adams.

During the 46 years that Johnny and Mary Katherine were married, they enjoyed traveling the world making wonderful memories and lasting friendships. They also loved their pets dearly and were proud parents to their loving, devoted deceased pets, Buffy, Oreo, Sparky, Bubbles and Giggles.

Mary Katherine had a passion for helping the many homeless and abused animals through donating to non-profit organizations. She also had a passion for preserving wildlife throughout the world for future generations to see, experience and enjoy. They are all being remembered through charitable donations at her death. Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of South Mississippi, 2615 25th Avenue, Gulfport, MS 39501.

Visitation is Thursday evening December 28, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport. The funeral service is Friday December 29, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home chapel where friends may visit beginning at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Live Oak Cemetery in Pass Christian.