Stephen Kent Adams

Stephen Kent Adams, 76, of Knoxville, Tennessee, passed away peacefully and with dignity at Parkwest Medical Center on Sunday, September 29, 2024, after a short bout with illness. He was born to Charles Henry Adams and Ruth LeNora Tackett Adams (both deceased), on January 24, 1948, in Virgie, Kentucky, and had three brothers, Gerald Leon Adams (Sue) of Virgie, Kentucky (deceased); Gareth Wayne Adams (Donna) of Winchester, Kentucky; and Robert Blake Adams (Jean) of Robinson Creek, Kentucky (deceased), and as well as six sisters, Sydney LeNelle Little (Clint) of Virgie, Kentucky (deceased); Janet Gail Rowe (Walter) of Fayetteville, North Carolina; Anita June Bates of Virgie, Kentucky (deceased); Sandra Jill Rowe (Blake) of Atlanta, Georgia; Beverly Ann Hampton (Larry) of Virgie, Kentucky; and Peggy Elaine Adams of Virgie, Kentucky. In 1963 while attending Virgie High School as a senior, he met his future bride, LaVerne Belcher. After his graduation, he attended Morehead State University where he studied business and economics. During his studies, he enlisted in the Army and went to Vietnam to join his brothers who were already stationed there. When Stephen returned from the army, he completed his degree at MSU. He and LaVerne wed on December 12, 1970, and spent the next 49 years by each other’s side raising two daughters, Kelly Lindsey Adams (deceased) and Erika MacKenzie Adams of Knoxville, Tennessee, and indulging his one and only granddaughter, Sydney Allyson Adams of Jackson, Tennessee. After his college graduation, Stephen worked tirelessly over three decades to climb the ranks in the manufacturing industry, eventually assuming Purchasing/Materials Manager roles for companies like Ingersol Rand, Piper Aircraft, and Johnson Controls. He loved his career immensely, but it’s safe to assume he loved his University of Kentucky Wildcats even more! This was much to the dismay of his University of Tennessee loving daughters, but the family managed to deal with this duel every time they played each other, usually at Stephen’s expense. A favorite pastime of his was watching UK games and then discussing every play over the phone with his brother, Gary. Stephen also liked to stay on top of current events, which nearly tortured his family with constant news shows playing on the television. It was all part of his charm, though. Stephen was funny, very smart, exceptionally driven, and he loved his family fiercely and without limits. In 2017, he and LaVerne relocated to Knoxville, Tennessee, where they enjoyed retired life with their family. Sadly, LaVerne, left this life for the next in 2019, and he never fully recovered from the loss along with the loss of his eldest daughter, Kelly, in 2022. There is now joy in his heart to be by their side again in heaven with eternal life through Christ. The family has planned a memorial service, with full military honors, for Saturday, October 5, 2024, at 1pm at Hall and Jones Funeral Home in Virgie, Kentucky, with Mr. Morgan Chapman officiating. Afterwards, Stephen’s ashes will be interred with his late wife and life partner, LaVerne, and his oldest daughter, Kelly, where he will rest for eternity with his beloved “girls” at the Belcher Family Cemetery in Pikeville, Kentucky. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Wounded Warrior Project https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

Stephen Kent Adams

January 24, 1948 - September 29, 2024