Florence Elizabeth Adams

Florence Elizabeth Carmichael Adams

8/10/1923–2/11/2025

Florence Adams was born in Trenton, New Jersey on August 10, 1923, to Wade and Lucy Carmichael. They later moved to Millville, New Jersey, where she attended Millville High School. She did not consider herself particularly athletic, but she did play girls basketball in the position she described as “jump center.”

After high school, she moved to Philadelphia, then to Washington, DC, where she met David Adams of Atlanta Georgia. They married in 1948 and had two children, Alicia Barbara and Lucile Lauren. 

Florence worked at the Pentagon for many years in the JAG Corps, becoming one of its top-ranking administrative assistants; she later returned to academia, earning a bachelor’s degree from Howard University and a master’s degree in early childhood education from American University. She went on to teach at Aiton Elementary School in Washington, DC until she retired in 1986.

Florence loved the arts. She insisted on piano, cello, and clarinet lessons for her children, and she studied the piano well into her eighties. You could always find her and her family at National Theater in DC when a Broadway show was on tour. Travel was another lifelong passion; accompanied by her husband and children, she made many visits to Europe, Canada, South Africa, and the Caribbean. She and Dave especially enjoyed going on cruises. She loved the food—but after every trip she would come home complaining about all the weight she had gained in just 10 days. 

Florence was also the beloved co-leader of Girl Scout Troop 122. She enrolled in the troop in naturalist programs and took them camping overnight throughout her leadership. She also organized the cookie sales for the troop, much to the delight of her daughters, who were thrilled to have all those boxes of goodies in the house. And like her mother, Florence was skilled at knitting, crocheting, and sewing, making beautiful items for herself, family, and friends.  She made scarves, hats and sewed dresses from patterns.

She was a longtime member of the Episcopal Church of the Atonement and regularly attended services until her health declined. She was actively involved in the church and was an early member of the Mothers’ Club, which became St. Clare’s Guild.

The Kennedy Center was one of her favorite places, and she frequently attended Broadway shows, classical music concerts, and choral performances. During more than three decades, she never missed any of the Center’s international festivals curated by her daughter Alicia, even when she could no longer navigate the building’s long halls without the help of a walker or wheelchair. Typical of her spirited attitude toward life, she soon grew to enjoy the attention from the ushers who helped her from the wheelchair to her seat in the theater. They in turn grew very fond of her and would ask Alicia about “Mrs. Adams” whenever they saw her without her mother.

Florence religiously attended all the graduations, ceremonies, and track meets of her grandchildren, Jason and Dominique. And she never missed any of Lucile’s academic award ceremonies—she was in her nineties when her daughter was named Washingtonian of the Year Award, yet she insisted on being part of the festivities. At age 95, she finally commented that she thought she was getting old, but she refused to slow down—she continued going to theaters and restaurants and visiting the homes of her daughters and friends. 

Florence was from a family of eight children; she was the youngest of the first four (all girls, the boys came later.)  Her sisters often referred to her as “Baby Florence,” and friends and family sometimes called her Flossie or Flo. We don’t know which of these names she appreciated more. Her grandson, who is now a physician, has been working on a biography of his grandmother for several years, and she spent endless hours answering his questions. I think she enjoyed reflecting on her life and took great pleasure in his company and attention.

Florence died on February 11, 2025, of medical complications post-surgery.  She is survived by her two daughters, Alicia Adams and Lucile Adams Campbell, son in law Thomas Campbell; two grandchildren, Jason and Dominique Campbell; her brother Kirby Carmichael; and a host of nieces and nephews; and many friends.

We all will remember her and will miss her gentle presence. Her grace, poise, and calm leadership will be fondly remembered. She was a loving mother and great friend!

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Florence Elizabeth Adams, please visit our floral store.