Jerry Jackson Adams, the son of Martha Jane Reeves and Frank Soloman Adams, was born in Pike County on August 10, 1911. In 1925, the family moved to the community of Estothel in west Coffee County where Mr. Adams’ father farmed. Mr. Adams was educated in the elementary and secondary schools of Pike, Covington, and Coffee Counties. In 1933, Mr. Adams married Maudie Bell Deal. Their only child, Jerry Jackson Adams, Jr., was born July 25, 1934, and now resides with his wife and three children in Burlington, North Carolina.
Between the years of 1935-1950, Mr. Adams operated Adams’ Sandwich Shop and Jerry’s Grill. Later, from 1946 until 1950, he operated A & W Building Supply with Woodrow Woodham. He opened Adams Farm Supply in 1950 and operated this business until his retirement in 1975. During his business years, Mr. Adams also farmed. In addition to these economic ventures, he helped organize and fund the Opp Farmer’s Market; he helped found the mayonnaise plant during the 1940’s, and helped found Opp Textiles, now known as Covington Industries.
Mr. Adams served on the Opp City Council from 1948 until 1960, during which time major improvements in the city of Opp were made. As a city councilman, he joined Mayor Ned Moore in relocating and expanding Opp’s City Library, leading to Opp’s selection as headquarters for Cross Trails Regional Library. Mr. Adams has been a strong supporter of the Opp Rescue Squad since its inception with generous financial gifts and with his time. Always active in civic affairs, Mr. Adams is a charter member of the Opp Lions Club, (Lion of the Year, 1986), a member of the Chamber of Commerce, a Mason and a Shriner. He is an active member of the First Baptist Church. The distinguishing characteristic of each of his memberships is the manner in which he serves and leads.
Mr. Adams has served three terms on the Covington County Commission. As a County Commissioner, he continued strong support for Cross Trails Regional Library. He was instrumental in obtaining a site for the location of Douglas MacArthur State Technical College. He assisted with campus development and beautification in the early years of college when this was a real need. Lake Douglas MacArthur is a prime example of his efforts in that area. Over the past 21 years he has continued to support this institution with his time and financial contributions by providing annual scholarships for those needing financial help to continue an education. He has also financed education for those attending other schools. Mr. Adams recognizes that society gains when a person becomes educated. Few people will ever know of Mr. Adams’ generosity because he prefers to remain silent about his benevolences.
Mr. Adams was one of the original members of the Resources Conservation and Development Council (RC&D), later becoming a member-at-large, a position which he still holds. Long before the public became educated about the dangers of extensive land erosion and polluted water, Mr. Adams was keenly aware of the need to preserve our resources and environment. It was because of Mr. Adams special interest in soil and water conservation and his work with RC&D that he conceived the idea of a lake and state park in Opp. Realizing that it would require the combined efforts of many people, Mr. Adams began sharing his idea and enlisting of those who were willing to work and who could make things happen. With this combination of efforts, his dream has become a reality.
It seems that no area of community life has been overlooked by Mr. Jerry Adams. His desire has always been to improve the environment, to improve educational facilities, to encourage economic growth, and to work to improve the quality of life for every individual. His generosity, his love for people, and his willingness to serve has made Opp and Covington County a better place to live and work. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1987.
