Merlin S. Adams

Merlin S. Adams, 80, of Winston-Salem , formerly of Shelbyville, passed away Friday, August 5, 2011, at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.  He was born August 3, 1931, in Madison, Indiana to John L. and Hazel Webster Adams.  He was a 1949 graduate of Shelbyville High School and attended the University of Wichita.  He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving in the Korean War and he retired from Arvin-Meritor Company after 38 years of service.  He was a loving husband, father and a friend to all who knew him.  He was a member of Clemmons Presbyterian Church where he was active in various areas, but especially enjoyed visiting propective new members.  Mr. Adams was previously active at the Union Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, TN, where he served as a Sunday school teacher, an Outreach Elder and was involved with the youth program.  He was an avid golf, fisherman, and an animal lover.  Surviving are his wife, Delight (Brown) Adams, whom he married on February 12, 1956 in Shelbyville, IN; a son, Matthew Herrin Adams of Pompano Beach, FL; a daughter, Mary Kathleen Adams of Winston-Salem, NC; a sister, Sylvia Adams Barger of Franklin, IN; a nephew, John (Julie) Barger of Indianapolis, IN; two nieces, Barbara (James) Cohen of Carmel, IN and Debra (Bill) Hallberg of Greenwood; three great nephews and two great nieces.  A memorial service will be held 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, August 20, 2011 at Murphy-Parks Funeral Service.  Burial will be a Forest Hill Cemetery.  The famuly will receive friends from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions honoring Merlin Adams may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215 or to Clemmons Presbyterian Church, 3930 Clemmons Road, Clemmons, NC, 27012.  Online condolences may be made at www.murphy-parks.com .