ADAMS, BENNIE S.
Mr. Bennie Adams, age 91, of Glenwood died early Friday morning, March 3, 2017, at his residence after a brief illness. Bennie was a native of Jeff Davis County and had resided in Glenwood most of his life.
Bennie left his public education at a young age to enlist in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. During the war, and at the age of 19, he received the Purple Heart after being severely wounded in combat in Okinawa, Japan. The story of his injury was told countless times by Bennie, especially when someone asked him one of two questions. First, many asked Bennie: How did you lose your leg? He always gave the same answer, “I did not lose my leg. It was shot off, I did not lose it, I know exactly where I left it, it’s in Okinawa.” Secondly, the curious would ask Bennie how the accident that resulted in him losing his leg happened and he would always respond, “Accident? This was not an accident, the Jap shot me on purpose, this was not an accident, he was trying to kill me.” Despite the loss of his leg in combat defending his country, Bennie never saw himself as being limited as he became a master plumber and electrician after the war. He never let the loss of his leg prevent him from accomplishing anything.
Bennie was a member of Glenwood First Baptist Church where he formerly served as deacon, Sunday school teacher, and Training Union director. He was an accomplished lay speaker who was eager to share his faith and testimony with others. He was an avid gardener. He grew the most beautiful zinnias and prior to his wife’s death on Thanksgiving Day of 2016 he went every day to his garden to pick and present to her fresh flowers. Bennie was an inspiration to all who knew him and he was a loving and wonderful father and grandfather.
Bennie is preceded in death by his wife, Doris K. Adams in 2016.
He is survived by three sons, Buddy Adams (Lydia) of Mt. Vernon, Bennie Adams Jr. of Glenwood, and Aaron Adams (Amy) of Glenwood; three daughters, Linda Fortner of Glenwood, Wanda Paulk of Glenwood and Tina Harper (Wayne) of Forsyth; three brothers, Marvin Adams of Dublin, Lee Ander Adams Jr. of Macon, and Edward Adams of Lovett; 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. An abundance of nieces, nephews, and other relatives also survive.
Funeral services for Mr. Bennie Adams will be held Monday March 6, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at Glenwood First Baptist Church, with Reverend Kevin Hammons and Reverend George Fields (with narration by Dr. Keith Tipton) officiating. Interment will follow in Glenwood City Cemetery with Military Honors. The family will receive friends at Stewart-Rosier Funeral Service Glenwood Chapel Sunday March 5, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Per the request of the family, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be offered to Glenwood First Baptist Church at PO Box 545, Glenwood Ga 30428.
Stewart-Rosier Funeral Service Glenwood Chapel is in charge of funeral arrangements.