Jonnie Adams

On October 5, 2023 Jonnie Adams of Cardinal, Virginia met her Lord and Savior face-to-face. Born Jonnine Boileau Marshall on December 15, 1942 she grew up in Hampton, Virginia and graduated from Hampton High School with the class of 1961. She married the love of her life, Thomas Adams of Poland (a nationalized US citizen) on July 1, 1961.

Tom and Jonnie moved their family from Hampton to Mathews County in 1977. She was a member of Faith Baptist Church in Mathews. She was also a member of the Middle Peninsula Tea Party and the Mathews County Republican Committee.

She was predeceased by her husband Thomas Adams, her parents John Spencer and Ellen Boileau Marshall, her son Thomas Christopher Adams, and her grandson Scott Thomas Holmberg.

She is survived by daughters, Laura Holmberg (Craig) and Donna Machen (George); by sisters, Mildred Koch (Mark) and Dani Hitchens; and beloved grandchildren, Catherine Farnham-Holmberg (Tim), Jonathan Holmberg, Mark Machen (Emily), James Machen (Panisara), John Machen (Heather), Esther Machen, Ruth Machen, and Peter Machen.

She loved being a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. In addition to singing with Tom, she also enjoyed reading and writing poetry as well as strumming a guitar with her best friend Sue Kilmon (deceased). Jonnie published her own book of poetry, “Country Grass: Poems by Jonnie Adams”, which her descendants will treasure. She enjoyed researching and spent many years tracing her family history back to its roots to pass on her rich heritage to future generations. She loved bird watching from her window, especially hummingbirds and cardinals.

She gave her heart and life to Jesus Christ in spring of 1970. She always had time for others to listen and encourage them in their walk with the Lord. In her own words,

When I am gone from this place,

Please don’t cry for me.

I have another home, a lovely home,

That I have yet to see.

A place of beauty and comfort,

It is indeed a wonderful find.

Designed and built to perfection.

By a very good friend of mine.

He alone knows my heart’s desires,

And just what makes me smile.

So pour another cup of coffee

And picture me there a while.

The family will receive friends on Friday, October 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Faulkner Funeral Homes, Foster-Faulkner Chapel, Mathews. A memorial service will be held at Salem UMC in Diggs, VA on Saturday, October 21 starting at 11 a.m. with reception following.

Thank you to the WRCC staff and VHS Hospice Care Team for their excellent care and kindness.

Donations in her memory can be given to Faith Baptist Church in Mathews (faithbaptistfamily.com) or Meals on Wheels in Mathews County (send to Nelda Gibbs, POB 369, Mathews, VA 23109).