Marion Jean "Mal-Mal" Adams

Marion Jean Adams, 80 years old, known affectionally as “Mal-Mal” passed away peacefully with her family and friends by her side. She was born on January 10th 1944 to the late Edward “Grumpy” and Elizabeth Merritt Shreves and was the 2nd born child of the couple. In high school Marion loved to play basketball and her height gave her a big advantage over the opposite team.  She also loved playing powder puff football and was deemed the charging force on the team pushing her team mates all the way to the goal post. After graduating Chincoteague High School in the summer of 1962, she married the love of her life, Archie “Buddy” Adams on a beautiful September day of that same year.  Their union would last until his sudden passing in April of 2013. While Buddy was in the Army, he was stationed at Ft. Meade and for the first and only time, Marion left her hometown.  Once out of the Army, she and Buddy made their home on the island where they raised their only child, Michelle. Marion was an account specialist with the Town of Chincoteague for 24 years where she retired in 1999.  After retirement, she decided to work part time for Bobby and Jerry Lou Turlington at Holiday Cottages at the reservation desk where she continued to greet the public for at least another 10 years.   A devoted member of Union Baptist Church, Marion served her Sunday School Class, the Ruth Class, in many roles.  Including president, secretary and treasurer, but most importantly, class decorator.  She made sure the classroom was always decorated for the season.  A role she took very seriously. Besides her loving husband and parents, Marion was predeceased by siblings, Carl Richard Shreves and  Jaunita “Snooks” Turlington, and three brother in laws, Jack Bowden, Sr., Charles Ralph Turlington and Johnny Booker. She is survived by her devoted daughter, Michelle Merritt and her boyfriend Brad Cosner;  her equally devoted sister, Billie Ann Bowden;  two sister-in-laws, Ethel Fields and Pat Booker; several special nieces, nephews and cousins and by close family friends, Brenda Linton, Andi-Kay Tyler, Linda Daisey and Bill McComb, Jr. Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, December 15, 2024 at Union Baptist Church on Chincoteague Island with Rev Eley officiating. Interment will be at John Taylor Cemetery in Temperanceville, VA .

Flowers accepted or donations may be made to Union Baptist Church 6365 Church Street Chincoteague Island, VA 23336 or Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company PO Box 691 Chincoteague Island, VA 23336

Services entrusted to Salyer Funeral Home, Inc. on Chincoteague Island, VA. Online condolences can be given at www.salyerfh.com.
  

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