Dorothy Esther Adams

ADAMS, Dorothy Esther Dunlap
Galesburg, MI A Celebration of Life
Passed away peacefully in her home on Tuesday, February 3, 2009, surrounded by her family and friends. Dorothy Dot was born July 20, 1920 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Claude and Effie Dunlap of Comstock. She was on the girls' basketball team and graduated from Comstock High School in 1938. Dorothy married Raymond J. Adams, February 22, 1943 in Hopkinsville Kentucky while he was serving in the United States Army. They were blessed with two sons, Raymond J. Adams Jr and Robert L. Adams. Dorothy's strong work ethic showed in her early newspaper delivery route and her job at Sutherland Paper Company. With husband Ray, she co-owned and operated R. J. Adams Building and Remodeling Company. Dorothy was chief owner and operator of the Galesburg Laun-der-rite for 50 years. With other partners, Dorothy and Ray owned Gale-Valley Estates. Her love for her family will be remembered always by those surviving: son-Ray Jr., grandchildren Jonathan, Dorienne and Michael Adams, daughters-in-law Patricia Minckler-Adams and Naomi Cherry, brothers Curtis Dunlap and Kenneth & Evelyn Dunlap and sister-in-law Pauline Adams; Special best friends Marian Doxey, Arlene Banghart, Barry and Marty Taylor; and many wonderful nieces and nephews. Dorothy is pre-deceased by husband Ray Sr., son Robert Adams, by sister Helen Dunlap, brother Don Dunlap and two close friends Emma Tiller and Louise Vokovich. Dorothy expressed her love of life and of community in so many ways through her generosity to those in need and kindness to all.
She loved nature and being active in her gardens, hiking at their Drummond Island cabin, feeding birds and enjoying the vocal multitude of frogs in her pond. Of great inspiration was her courage and uncomplaining independent nature in the face of great pain. Dorothy loved antiquing and poetry. She avidly followed current events, the Hollywood scene and watched football with her family. Her feline companion, Miss Kitty, was constantly at her side. Her Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, February 7, 2009 at 2 pm at the Congregational Church, 22 S. Church Street in downtown Galesburg. Visitation will be on Friday, February 6 from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm at Langeland Family Funeral Home, Galesburg Chapel, 145 W. Battle Creek St. Donations in Dorothy's honor may be made to the Raymond J. Adams Avian Research Fund at the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, 151 S. Rose, Kalamazoo MI 49007 or to the charity of your choice. Friends are encouraged to use the Langeland website to view the obituary and leave condolences for the family. www.langelands.com 343-1508