Deaconess Ellen S. Adams

Deaconess Ellen Jane Salley Adams, age 79, widow of Deacon Larry Adams was born on November 3, 1945, in Walterboro, South Carolina to the late Berry and Maybell Simmons Salley. She was preceded in death by siblings, Berry C. Salley, Randolph Salley, Burnette Monroe, Mack Salley and Edith Adams. She entered into eternal rest on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at her residence in Grover, South Carolina, following an extended illness.  

At an early age, Ellen joined the Springtown United Methodist Church in Smoaks, South Carolina. She later joined Jerusalem Baptist Church after getting married, where she served faithfully until her health began to fail.  Ellen served in several ministries namely, the Missionary Ministry, Assistant Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School Teacher, Hospitality Committee, Combined Choir and Deaconess Ministry. “I Need Thee” was one of her favorite songs and it was the inspiration for her testimony.

Ellen graduated from Ruffin High School in Ruffin, South Carolina, in 1963. She proudly wore #00 and received the Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award in her senior year. 

Ellen was previously employed as a Supervisor with Skyline LTD Factory in Holly Hill, SC, and Colleton County DSS as a transportation driver for many years. 

Ellen enjoyed talking to people, wearing beautiful clothing with hats, cooking for friends and family. If you needed anything done, Ellen would make it happen – she was a visionary and always reached for the stars.  Her favorite color was green. She never met a stranger and loved praising the Lord. At the age of nineteen, Ellen underwent open-heart surgery to replace her aortic valve.  She was eternally grateful to God and the MUSC staff for her life. To show her gratitude, she faithfully supported the American Heart Association during February for Heart Health Month.

Those left to cherish her loving memories are: two daughters, Tammy A. (Bernard) Kelly of Sumter, SC and Gwendolyn A. Britt (Christopher, deceased) of Summerville, SC; one son, Larry (Lyndsay) Adams, Jr. of Boulder, Colorado; one sister, Elsie (Ludie) Betts of Lawrenceville, Georgia; two sisters-in-law, Dessie Salley of Walterboro, SC, and Phyllis Salley of Columbia, SC; seven grandchildren, Trenton A. (Keiandra) Britt of Syracuse, NY, Ciarra A. (Cory) Smith of Madison, AL, Marion B. Kelly, II of Brooklyn, NY, Lauren E. Kelly of Atlanta, GA, Ford B. (Katie) Adams of Denver, CO, River J. Adams of Grand Junction, and Sol R. Adams of Denver, CO; four great-grandchildren, Olivia Rose Britt, Kyler Grace Britt. and King Oliver Britt, of Syracuse, NY and Josephine Lilly Adams of Grand Junction, CO; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.

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