Mary Frances Adams' Obituary
Mary Frances Adams (September 1934- September 2017) was one-of-a-kind! She had an eventful life, dedicated in its entirety to educating children through her unique method of teaching and coaching. Driven by her competitive nature and adventurous spirit, she embarked on a series of life adventures that led her from teaching for the Department of Defense, in Germany, as well as working stateside, teaching for Dallas ISD. This is where she met and married the love of her life, John Adams. Mary’s position of teaching in public civil service lasted until 1963. Mary and John were married over the Labor Day weekend and their principal enforces the policy that teachers could not work in the same school or even district with their spouse! Being that John was 11 years older and was a tenured coachin DISD, Mary retired from public education. That lasted a very short time before she and John founded their beloved White Rock North School. They bought an old house, knocked out some walls and enrolled 11 children for Kindergarten the first year they opened their doors. John continued teaching public school for 10 more years, while Mary dove headlong into her new school. She would drive around the little Lake Highlands neighborhood, picking up her students for school each day. That was possible back in those days, as the Lake Highlands community was new. So new, that Walnut Hill Road/Kingsley Road had not been developed past White Rock Trail. New families interested in the school often found Mary’s school just by chance… how lucky for them!As the school continued to grow, the birth of John and Mary’s daughter, Amy added to her joy. Along with John and her stepson, Mike, her family was now complete.Over the years, Mary continued to develop her unique business ideas into those that children would enjoy. She purchased a horse, built an indoor pool to teach swimming in, added a skating rink and an outdoor classroom with laying hens and student gardens. Mary built long-standing traditions over her 53 year reign at White Rock North School, that are still in place today…Western Day, square dancing, the annual leprechaun hunt, and of course, Christmas caroling at NorthPark Mall! The Mary Adams’ legacy for the children of D/FW now spans three generations of students attending her school. These students are her legacy, and her life’s work was always lived with her students in mind. Until her last day, Mary was playing the piano and singing, “Jesus Loves the Little Children”, “Here Comes Santa Claus” and “Deep in the Heart of Texas”. Forever a Texas girl, Mary’s journey ended on Friday, September 8, 2017, when she went to be with her love, John Bell Adams. Mary is survived by her daughter Amy Adams (Ryan Fuqua), step-son Mike Adams (Sherry Adams), five beautiful grandchildren, Blake Adams (Laura Adams), Sterling Porter, J.W. Porter, Holt Porter and Archer Fuqua, her sister, Janie Peters (Leonard Peters) and numerous nieces, nephews and dear family friends. Service Details: Saturday, September 16th, 2017 Please wear RED, as it was Mary’s favorite color! 10:00 am- Private burial at Restland Funeral Home 12:00 p.m.- Visitation in the Park Cities Baptist Church Sanctuary 1:00 p.m.- Memorial funeral service in the Park Cities Baptist Church Sanctuary 2:00 p.m.- Reception at Amy and Ryan’s House: 9243 Chuch Road, Dallas, TX, 75231.
What’s your fondest memory of Mary?
What’s a lesson you learned from Mary?
Share a story where Mary's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Mary you’ll never forget.
How did Mary make you smile?