Obituary for Ina Kate Adams Ina Kate Adams, 89, of Winter Haven Florida passed away peacefully Friday, July 20, 2018 in her home of 48 years with her children and loving caregivers by her side. Kate was born in Dublin, Georgia, to Coran Clyde and Ethel Palmer Wright. At 16 years of age she left for college, attended and graduated salutatorian from Duke University in three years.
She then went to Mercer University for graduate training as a Chemical Technician. After completing her training Kate and three friends moved to Daytona Beach, Florida. There she met Benjamin Raiford Adams of Deland, Florida, on a blind date.
Surprisingly Ben was not her date but they married in 1952 and moved to Winter Haven, Florida. Some three years later they moved to Dade City, Florida. There she went to work for Dr. Dwayne Deal until 1957 when Ben and Kate began their family with the birth of their first child.
Kate began her life long career as an amazing mother and grandmother. Kate was survived by and was so proud of her children, Jane Leigh Smisson of Macon, Georgia; Benjamin Raiford Adams, Jr., wife Megan; of Winter Haven, Florida and Dr. William Wright Adams of St Petersburg, Florida and her grandchildren, Hugh Franklin Smisson, IV, wife Campbell; William Benjamin Smisson, wife Ruth, and her first great grandson William Harrison Smisson; and, Rigdon Adams Smisson, fiancé Bailey; and Karlyn Kate Adams, Benjamin Raiford Adams III. Also survived by Kate are her nieces Mary Wright and Anita Cato, and nephews John, Hal and Paul Wright and Butch Wright.
Kate loved living on Lake Cannon in Winter Haven, where she and Ben enjoyed its beauty and nature, the fun it gave the children and their friends and entertaining for years. Kate believed that the true measure of success in life lies in what you give of yourself, to your family, community and others. Nowhere was this more evident than in the community service role she played throughout her life.
Kate was a member of the Junior League of Greater Winter Haven, active member and president of the Garden Club of Winter Haven since 1972. Kate’s passion for reading showed in all her many books and as a volunteer to Friends and Family of the Winter Haven Library. Kate took obvious joy in spending time with her friends and family.
Nothing shows this more than being a member of the “Dade City Bridge Club” for 60 years! She created a warm and loving home for her children and grandchild and her husband of 65 years, Ben. Kate loved taking care of her family and which was best expressed in her love of cooking.
She cherished having her friends and family around the heart of their home, the dinner table. Memorial Services will be held on Tuesday, July 24th, 2018 at 11:00a.m. at Beymer Methodist Church in Winter Haven Florida. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Donate or send to: Alzheimer’s Association National Office, 225 N. Michigan Avenue FL 17, Chicago, IL 60601. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Ina Kate Adams please visit our Sympathy Store.
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