Virginia Dare McAdams

Virginia Dare Smith McAdams

 January 15, 1926 – April 20, 2024

 Virginia Dare Smith McAdams, 98, of Henderson passed away peacefully at her home on Crook Avenue on Saturday evening.

Her funeral will be Saturday, April 27, with visitation beginning at 10 am at Shackelford Funeral Directors, Crook Avenue Chapel.   Ben Flatt will be officiating.  Burial will follow at Henderson City Cemetery.

Dare was born in Henderson TN, the beloved daughter of Robert Algie Smith and Jimmie Rachel Record Smith.  She grew up on Hamlett Street, where she freely roller skated or rode her horse all around town.  She graduated CCHS and attended Freed Hardeman College.  In 1947 she married Hayes N. McAdams of Henderson, and they built their first home on White Avenue.  Not long after having a daughter and son, they moved to Memphis where Hayes went to work for Lummus Cotton Gin Company.  Dare immersed herself in family life, meeting other young moms, entertaining each other’s kids, helping with Brownie Scouts and playing bridge and tennis.  

The family moved to Dyersburg in the late 1950’s where Dare was involved with kids and carpool, PTA, Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts.  She served as a Girl Scout troop leader and organized and directed Girl Scout Day camp for 9 years, taking close to 100 girls to the woods to learn about nature and experience outdoor living.  For several years she was on the leadership group of the Reelfoot Girl Scout Council.  She also served as a Cub Scout leader for her son’s age group.  Neighborhood kids felt welcome in her home most anytime, where they could always get a kind word, a snack or first aid, as needed.  Friends of her children often regarded her as their second mom.  

When Hayes’ work took them back to Memphis, she was active in PTA, her neighborhood garden club, Ladies Bible Class and a friends’ tennis group.  She enjoyed playing bridge and tennis on a regular basis, often hosting one of the groups for a delicious meal.   But Henderson was always a destination for family gatherings, many holidays and finally for their retirement years. 

In 1980 she and Hayes returned to renovate an older home and live in Henderson TN.  She enjoyed entertaining family and others in her home and was always a gracious hostess.   In Henderson her activities included leadership positions with FCE (Home Demonstration Club), the Henderson Station DAR chapter established by her sister and the Bon Tres Club.  She was also a member of the Audubon Bird Watchers group in Jackson and served as community liaison on the Chester County Health Council.  Her love of reading occupied much of her time in later years, and she was an avid fan of Imagination Library.

Throughout her life she enjoyed camping, fishing, rock collecting, trips to the Smokey Mountains and travel anywhere friends/family wanted to go.  She will be remembered for her gentle, feisty spirit, her love of family, her banana nut bread and friendly demeanor. 

Virginia Dare was predeceased by her husband, Hayes, in 1989.  She was also predeceased by her parents, Robert Algie Smith and Jimmie Rachel Record Smith, life-long residents of Chester County, and her sister, Mary Nelle (Mrs. Truett) Abney of Henderson.

She is survived by her daughter, Barbara McAdams of Collierville TN, a son, Thomas N. McAdams (Melissa) of Knoxville and two beloved grandchildren, William G. Youngk (Kristen) of Charleston SC and Madeline Dare Griffey (Doug) of Knoxville TN, along with 4 precious great granddaughters, Margaret, Eloise, Annie and Alice. She is also survived by her brother, Neal Smith, and his two sons, Robin (Lisa) Smith and Stacy (Casey) Smith of Henderson.   She is also survived by a cousin, Jane Ingraham Ryals, as well as nieces Laura McAdams (Darrell) Hillis, Suzanne CashTucker and nephews Robert (Donna) Abney, Bob (Renee) McAdams, and Jim (Jan) McAdams.

She will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

The family wishes to express appreciation to her devoted and loving care-givers Regina Cupples, Peggy Burton, Audrey Brawley, Linda Gray, Virginia Hall, Elizabeth Widener and Gladys Jo Warren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Chester County Library 1012 East Main St, Henderson TN, 38340 or The Gleaner’s House, 121 N Washington Ave, Henderson TN, 38340.