Phyllis M. Adams, 94, Amagansett Old-Timer
Phyllis Adams, a descendant of two of East Hampton’s early families who led the women’s crafts group of the Amagansett Presbyterian Church for many years, died on June 8 at the Brookdale Assisted Living facility in Augusta, Ga., to which she had moved to be closer to her family. She was 94 years old.
Mrs. Adams was born in Amagansett on Aug. 28, 1922, one of three daughters of N. Fillmore Miller and the former Jessie Lester, both of Amagansett. In 1940, after graduating from East Hampton High School, she married Carroll Adams, who was called Bud. He died in 1994.
During World War II, she was trained in first aid by the Red Cross, in the event of an invasion here. After the war and for the next 30 years, Mrs. Adams worked for the Bistrian family. She also had waitress and catering jobs until she chose to retire.
In 2011, before moving south, Mrs. Adams was honored by the Amagansett Presbyterian Church for 35 years as the leader of the Women’s Guild, which made potholders, pillows, and quilts sold every year at the church’s summer fair and Christmas sale. The group met each Thursday at Mrs. Adams’s house and raised nearly $100,000 over the years. Her son Brian Adams of West Jefferson, N.C., who often visited his mother, said he would also visit with the group, which felt as if he were “back at Sunday school” because he knew so many of his mother’s friends who were part of it. They would have tea and cookies and the pastor would sometimes drop in, he said.
Mrs. Adams was also a member of the Amagansett American Legion auxiliary, serving as an officer at one time. She was always engaged in other community activities and had many lifelong friends, her son said. She also enjoyed boating, fishing, and clamming with her husband and was known for her “fantastic clam pie and family-favorite clam chowder,” her son said, adding that he had been searching for the recipes.
In addition to her son, Mrs. Adams is survived by a sister, Jane Conley of Johnson City, Tenn., a niece, Wendy Daniels of Amagansett, five granddaughters, and seven great-grandchildren. Another sister, Agnes Daniels of Amagansett, died about 10 years ago and her sons Ronnie Adams and Larry Adams also died before her.
Mrs. Adams was cremated and her ashes were buried next to her husband’s at Cedar Lawn Cemetery in East Hampton. A memorial service will be held at the Amagansett Presbyterian Church on Aug. 18 at 10 a.m. Memorial donations have been suggested to St. Joseph Hospice, 1220 George Wilson Drive, Augusta, Ga. 30909, or the Women’s Guild, Amagansett Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 764, Amagansett 11930.