Obituary for UNA SUN ADAMS Una Sun Adams went to be with her Lord and Savior on June 2, 2018 at age 66. Una was born March 3rd, 1952 in Daejeon, South Korea during a turbulent time of war between the North and South. After the war, she grew up in a happy family environment in the suburbs of Daejeon, South Korea, a nation that was gradually rebuilt from ashes to become the vibrant industrial nation it is today.
Una was always proud of her Korean heritage, but decided to move to the United States after graduating from high school in 1970. She was taken in by a kind and loving American family in Hollywood, Florida, Bill and Francis Whithy, who called her “Penny” because they regarded her as their “lucky” blessing in life. They took her sightseeing to Washington D.C among other places and helped her adjust to life in America as she learned to read and write English.
Soon Una decided it was time to have a go at life on her own and found work as a server at various restaurants, got her own apartment in Homestead, and bought her first car. It was a struggle for many years, but everyone who ever met Una was immediately smitten by her charm and stunning beauty and she quickly made lasting friendships. Una was always an independent and strong willed woman who knew how to make the most of life.
In her 20’s, free time was often spent dancing the night away in the many disco clubs in Dade and Broward counties. She was the “life of the party” wherever she went. Una was naturalized in 1982 and was proud of her new American citizenship.
That same year she began working as a bartender at the newly opened Samurai Japanese Steak House on US-1 and SW 136th Street. Known there as “Sun” for her “Sunshine” personality, she soon became a local legend for both her mastery as a mixologist and her friendly service. She had planned to retire this August after 37 years at Samurai.
The restaurant will never be the same without her magical smile to grace the premises. After dating for a year, Una married John Robert Adams, a South Miami native in 1983, at Immanuel Presbyterian Church on Kendall Drive. They were to celebrate their 35th anniversary this November.
Over the past 15 years, John and Una celebrated nearly every anniversary by going on long cruises to various ports in the Caribbean. Their other favorite place to vacation was the mountains of Western North Carolina where Una insisted on visiting every waterfall on the map. Una and John enjoyed a blissful life together in their home in Perrine, and later in Palmetto Bay.
Settling down from younger days of dancing the night away, they frequently attended many jazz and classical music performances, as well as museums and art shows. Una’s second love in the corporal world, aside from her husband and family, was her 1982 Corvette Collector Edition, which she bought in 1983. She always kept her Corvette in immaculate condition, as it still is today.
Soon after surviving a devastating direct hit to her home by hurricane Andrew, Una was diagnosed with terminal cancer in the pelvic region in 1993. She amazed everyone by beating it with the help of chemo therapy and radiation and was cancer free for the remainder of her life. This near encounter with death renewed Una’s faith in the Lord.
She was forever grateful for the prayers and support she received from family and friends and she truly cherished the blessing that each and every day bestowed upon her for the rest of her life. From that day forth, her Korean language edition of the Holy Bible was always kept nearby for frequent comfort and consultation. After her “Miracle Cure”, she gave generously to many charities, especially to those helping to fight the scourge of cancer, and also to our wounded veterans.
Una had a genuine love for cooking and was always trying out new recipes, mostly of her own invention, to the delight of family and friends. While enjoying her home cooking, Una’s family always looked forward to hearing her memorable tales of life growing up in a traditional Korean home where clay pots of Kimchi were buried underground in the back yard for months, and dinner was often prepared by Grandma in a wood burning stove. There is so much more to be said about Una’s amazing life that it could easily fill a book.
If you ever met her, however briefly, your life was changed forever for the better. Words can’t even begin to describe what a positive effect she had on people. She was the absolute definition of pure “Joy” and her absence will be felt deeply by so many until their last breath in this world and well beyond.
Una is survived by her devoted husband John Robert Adams, her older sister, Park Eun Ja, her younger sister Park Eun Suk and her younger brother Park Bum San. A memorial service will be held at 5pm June 16th at the Van Orsdel Kendall Chapel at 11220 N. Kendall Drive Miami, FL. In lieu of flowers, Una would have preferred that everyone please give to whichever charity you believe in the most.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of UNA SUN ADAMS please visit our Sympathy Store. Upcoming Events Memorial 2018 JUN 16. 04:00 PM – 07:00 PM Van Orsdel Kendall Chapel 11220 N. Kendall Drive Miami, FL, US, 33176 Order Flowers for the Memorial Service Guaranteed delivery before UNA’s Memorial Service begins.
2018 JUN 16. 05:00 PM Van Orsdel Kendall Chapel 11220 N. Kendall Drive Miami, FL, US, 33176 Order Flowers for the Service Guaranteed delivery before UNA’s Service begins.
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