Millie McLane Adams, 80, of Lake Park, died unexpectedly on Monday, May 25, 2026, in Columbus, OH. Born in Valdosta on June 29, 1945, to the late Carson McLane and Philena Tyson McLane, she grew up in Valdosta and graduated from Valdosta High School in 1963. After high school, she went to Valdosta State College (VSC) where she met and started dating Charles Adams. They were married on June 10, 1967. That same week, she graduated from college with a degree in Sociology and attended her first United Methodist Annual Conference as the couple had been called to ministry in the United Methodist Church (UMC). Millie continued to support Charles as he studied at Candler School of Theology, Emory University in Atlanta, where she taught music to mentally handicapped persons at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. She was one of the first in Georgia to use Music Therapy in her educational endeavors. As the couple entered the ministry, they did so at the Lenox-Antioch United Methodist Charge. After that initial appointment, they served these United Methodist Churches of the South Georgia Conference: Metter United Methodist Church, Dawson United Methodist Church, Forest Hills United Methodist Church in Macon, and Trinity United Methodist Church in Warner Robins. During these same years, Millie provided music therapy at Wesley Glen Ministries in Macon and later taught art at elementary schools in Warner Robins. In 1996, Charles was appointed to the UMC District Office of Statesboro. For their final church appointment, the couple returned to Valdosta to serve First United Methodist Church. Following that, Charles served as the Superintendent (CEO) of The South Georgia United Methodist Retreat Center at Epworth by The Sea on St. Simons Island before retiring. Millie continued teaching through private art lessons to students while in Valdosta and St. Simons Island. Even in retirement, Millie and Charles served several churches in South Georgia including Lake Park, Mt. Zion, and Salem United Methodist Churches.

Through the years, Millie was active in United Women of Faith and the United Methodist Ministers’ Wives Association where she served as Chairwoman. In her later years, she was active in other community groups to include the Daughters of the American Revolution, Readers Forum, Joyce Paine Bible Study, and Street Feed in Valdosta. Millie was a skilled sculptor of stone, having her works displayed at the Harriet Tubman Museum in Macon and at First Methodist Church in Valdosta as well as in many private collections around the nation. Poetry was also a favorite pastime, which she shared in correspondence with friends and in several published books. At her death, Millie was an active founding member of Mosaic United Methodist Church in Valdosta.

Millie is survived by her husband of 59 years, Rev. Dr. Charles Adams of Lake Park, three daughters and sons-in-law, Rebecca & Andy Taylor of Silver Spring, MD, Elizabeth & Dominic Thomas of Marietta, GA, and Jonna & Rob Cartwright of Columbus, OH; eight grandchildren, Ryan Taylor, John Taylor, and Alex Taylor, all of Silver Spring, MD, Maddock Thomas of Philadelphia, PA, Theodore Thomas of Milwaukee, WI, Clarke Thomas of Marietta, and Avirett Cartwright and Joe Cartwright, both of Columbus, OH. Also surviving are a brother and sister-in-law, Tyson & Mary Sue McLane of Lake Park; a sister-in-law, Alison McLane of Lake County, BC; a sister-in-law, JoAnne Jones of Sandy, UT; a brother-in-law & sister-in-law, Bud & Carol Adams, of Seattle, WA; and Patricia DeVane of Hernando, FL as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her brother and sister-in-law, H. Arthur "Mac" McLane and Jane McLane, and brother Albert McLane.

The funeral for Mrs. Adams will be held at 11 am on Friday, June 5, 2026, in the chapel of Carson McLane Funeral Home. Rev. Anthony McPhail, Rev. Craig Rikard, Rev. Jim Jackson, and Rev. Matt Stout will officiate. Burial will follow at McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday evening, June 4, 2026, from 5 pm until 7 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mosaic United Methodist Church, First Methodist Church of Valdosta, or Epworth by the Sea on St. Simons Island. 

Condolences may be conveyed to the family on the obituary page of www.mclanecares.com.

Carson McLane Funeral Home.