Lenore Gwendolyn Oliver-Adams
October 1, 1927 — June 9, 2022
Lenore Gwendolyn (Oliver) Adams, 94, passed away on Thursday, June 9, 2022. Lenore was
born on October 1, 1927, in Jacksonville, Florida to W.C. and Evelyn Rivers. She grew up on the
Westside and attended Lackawana Elementary, John Gorrie Junior High and Lee High School.
She was musically gifted and began playing the piano at the young age of 12 for her Sunday
school class at Woodlawn Baptist Church. Following graduation, she pursued a double major in
music and art at Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia.
"Sandy" as she was known for her hair, came home from college to marry Thornton Oliver, also
a member at Woodlawn Baptist Church. The couple was active in the church and raised their
two children, Julie and Charles, surrounded by the love and friendships formed at Woodlawn.
Thornton and Sandy owned several shrimp boats and worked full-time together in the business
and in the music ministry at church. Thornton was the music minister until his death in 1984
and Sandy played the piano and organ for 40 continuous years at Woodlawn.
Following her marriage to Hal Adams, Sandy moved to Ava, Missouri where she continued to be
active in church by playing the organ and piano and sewing beautiful banners for seasonal
display. She immersed herself in the small community forming great friendships and
participating with the public library committee to select books for purchase.
Sandy lived a long, happy life always surrounded by her loving family and many friends. Her life
was an example of a Proverbs 31 woman and she exemplified kindness, service, and gracious
hospitality. She often quoted her mother saying, "Pretty is as pretty does." Sandy was known by
everyone she met to be just as beautiful inside as she was outside. She was never idle and her
hands were rarely still as she was always knitting, quilting, sewing, crafting, oil painting,
completing crosswords, or cooking in the kitchen. She knew her way around the kitchen,
especially when cooking fried shrimp! Her home was always open and she hosted many
dinners, choir parties and visiting ministers and their families. Sandy had a unique flair for
making everyone feel welcome and cherished.
She was a loving and devoted mother to two children, Julie Oliver and Charles (Debbie) Oliver,
and one stepchild, Halle (Gina) Adams. She was a beloved "Gahme" to 5 grandchildren - Laura,
Trey, Julianna, Grant (Victoria) and Meghan and one great-grandchild - Charlotte. All of these
she loved and touched deeply. She lived a lifetime of love and laughter. Sandy will be dearly
missed and always remembered.
Please join us as we celebrate her life and legacy on Tuesday, June 14 at Naugle Funeral Home
on Hendricks Avenue in Jacksonville. Visitation and viewing will be at 10:00 a.m., followed by
the memorial service at 11:00 a.m. officiated by Pastor Tommy Carr. Internment will follow at
Riverside Memorial Park.
born on October 1, 1927, in Jacksonville, Florida to W.C. and Evelyn Rivers. She grew up on the
Westside and attended Lackawana Elementary, John Gorrie Junior High and Lee High School.
She was musically gifted and began playing the piano at the young age of 12 for her Sunday
school class at Woodlawn Baptist Church. Following graduation, she pursued a double major in
music and art at Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia.
"Sandy" as she was known for her hair, came home from college to marry Thornton Oliver, also
a member at Woodlawn Baptist Church. The couple was active in the church and raised their
two children, Julie and Charles, surrounded by the love and friendships formed at Woodlawn.
Thornton and Sandy owned several shrimp boats and worked full-time together in the business
and in the music ministry at church. Thornton was the music minister until his death in 1984
and Sandy played the piano and organ for 40 continuous years at Woodlawn.
Following her marriage to Hal Adams, Sandy moved to Ava, Missouri where she continued to be
active in church by playing the organ and piano and sewing beautiful banners for seasonal
display. She immersed herself in the small community forming great friendships and
participating with the public library committee to select books for purchase.
Sandy lived a long, happy life always surrounded by her loving family and many friends. Her life
was an example of a Proverbs 31 woman and she exemplified kindness, service, and gracious
hospitality. She often quoted her mother saying, "Pretty is as pretty does." Sandy was known by
everyone she met to be just as beautiful inside as she was outside. She was never idle and her
hands were rarely still as she was always knitting, quilting, sewing, crafting, oil painting,
completing crosswords, or cooking in the kitchen. She knew her way around the kitchen,
especially when cooking fried shrimp! Her home was always open and she hosted many
dinners, choir parties and visiting ministers and their families. Sandy had a unique flair for
making everyone feel welcome and cherished.
She was a loving and devoted mother to two children, Julie Oliver and Charles (Debbie) Oliver,
and one stepchild, Halle (Gina) Adams. She was a beloved "Gahme" to 5 grandchildren - Laura,
Trey, Julianna, Grant (Victoria) and Meghan and one great-grandchild - Charlotte. All of these
she loved and touched deeply. She lived a lifetime of love and laughter. Sandy will be dearly
missed and always remembered.
Please join us as we celebrate her life and legacy on Tuesday, June 14 at Naugle Funeral Home
on Hendricks Avenue in Jacksonville. Visitation and viewing will be at 10:00 a.m., followed by
the memorial service at 11:00 a.m. officiated by Pastor Tommy Carr. Internment will follow at
Riverside Memorial Park.
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