Joseph Vernard Adams

Dr. Joseph V. Adams, a resident of Southbridge just outside of Savannah, GA died peacefully on Tuesday,  June 13, 2023. His passing occurred in his sleep.

Dr. Adams moved to Savannah with his wife and three sons in 1970 when he accepted a position at Armstrong State University. He served as professor of psychology and in several dean positions at Armstrong for 27 years, serving most of this time as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. After retirement in 1997, Dr. Adams returned to half time service for four years as a special administrator developing the first international exchange programs at Armstrong. During this time, Dr. Adams traveled extensively to foreign universities, initiating what became a full time exchange program for faculty and students. Prior to coming to Armstrong, Dr. Adams was professor and department head at Stetson University in Florida, serving there from 1962 to 1970. Previous to this service, he worked in psychiatric settings, mostly in Alabama, in his specialty area of clinical psychology.

Dr. Adams was born in Gulfport, MS on March 20 1934, the fourth son of Col. Lester M. Adams, Sr. and Margaret Boardman Adams. His childhood years were in several locations in Mississippi and Louisiana while his father was on various assignments with the U.S. Army, including being out of the country during WWII. After finishing high school in Macon, MS, in 1952, Dr. Adams completed a B.A. degree in history at Tennessee Temple College, an M.A. degree in psychology at Baylor University and the Ph. D degree in clinical psychology at the University of Alabama. He married Dorothy Hankins of Pine Bluff, AR in 1957 and they remained married until his death.

During his career, Dr. Adams was active with a variety of educational, civic, religious, and charitable endeavors. He served on multiple special purpose committees at his several places of employment and for 31 years served on various academic committees of the University System of Georgia. He also served for 20 years on committees of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools evaluating colleges for accreditation or for reaccreditation; he served several years as a board member with the Georgia Lung Association, several years on special committees of the Savannah Chamber of Commerce; a number of years with the U.S.O., served once on the Board of Oglethorpe Academy, and was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Savannah, serving one term as President, and he served as board member and in various capacities with the Canterbury Park Property Owners Association where his residence was located. He was reared in protestant religious traditions and held memberships in several Baptist congregations and in one Presbyterian congregation. He had a strong commitment to separation of church and state and to benevolent efforts, especially for children.

Dr. Adams’ is survived by his wife, Dottie Adams; three sons, Frederick Joseph Adams (Lissett Barron) of San Antonio, TX, Lawrence Allan Adams of Athens; and Jeffrey Vernard Adams (Elizabeth Collins) of Houston, TX; and six grandchildren, Tyler (Becky), Ashley, Audrey (Jake Kennon), Sean, Nora (Jeff Younker), and Collins.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 19, 2023 at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel with Rev. Bill Gardner officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will be on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. in Salem Cemetery in Noxubee County, MS.