Cindy Adams

Tribute

Cindy Rene Adams was born January 4, 1960, in California to Carolyn and Jimmy “Sonny” Carpenter. She grew up between her older brother, Jimmy “Keith” Carpenter, and younger sister, Crystal Carpenter Corr. Her parents and Keith preceded her in death. But Cindy's life is better remembered through stories than dates. If you picture Cindy, there's a good chance she's talking while picking at her split ends. She could find one anywhere, anytime, and once she did, apparently nothing else mattered until it was gone. And Cindy could talk! A “quick” conversation was rarely quick. Her text messages were even better. Sometimes they required rereading, sounding things out, context clues, and another family member before somebody finally said, “Ohhh! I know what she means!” She loved music, writing, and cleaning. Cindy actually enjoyed cleaning, something the rest of us may never completely understand. Her house was always open to her kids' friends. She treated them like her own, which meant they got the love AND the lectures. With all the Chihuahuas, wiener dogs, and puppies around, more than one friend also came over to visit and unexpectedly went home with a new family member. Somebody had to take the puppies! There were countless California trips over the years, filled with family, long drives, memories, and stories. And Thanksgiving meant Mom's cooking. At the time, those things just felt like life. Now they're the ordinary moments we'd give anything to have one more time. Cindy spent years caring for others as a CNA and later as a non-emergency medical transportation driver. Caring for people wasn't just something she did for work. It was part of who she was. She was Mom to Robert Adams, Jason Adams, and Jesseca Gadson, and Grandma to Sabryna Gadson and TJ Gadson. She loved her mama, her children, and her grandchildren fiercely. Cindy taught her kids freedom, empathy, and right from wrong. Most importantly, she made them believe they could do anything. She was always the first to say, “You can do it,” and probably the first one ready to fight anyone who said they couldn't. Cindy shared nearly four decades with Buddy Lee McCall Jr., beginning in 1985. Buddy preceded her in death. Their love was uniquely theirs, complete with some hilarious arguments, especially the never-ending debate over who fell asleep first during a movie. Neither ever admitted guilt. We like to imagine they're together again, halfway through a movie and already arguing about who's asleep. Cindy will be missed by her children, grandchildren, sister Crystal, nephew Jesse Corr, nieces Jenessa Corr and Tiffany Corr, and many family members and friends across the country. We'll miss her voice, her quirks, her cooking, her impossible texts, the music, the road trips, and simply knowing she was there. Fly high with the stars, Mom. Find your mama and daddy, Keith, and Buddy. Turn the music up. And if Buddy says you fell asleep first... We believe you, Mom.

Friends & Family