Adams, 93, was a pioneer in women’s leadership in the Roanoke Rapids community and across North Carolina as she chaired two of its most powerful boards — the board of education of the Roanoke Rapids Graded Schools District and the board of directors of Halifax Regional Medical Center.

She later served on statewide boards related to education and hospital affairs.

She became the first female member of the Board of Education of the Roanoke Rapids Graded Schools District in 1957 at age 35 and served until 1975.

Adams served as the first female chairman of the board the last six years and engineered the creation of Chaloner Middle School, the state’s first public kindergarten, and the first official set of written policies for the school district.

After serving on the board of the Halifax Regional Medical Center for many years, she chaired that group and later served as vice-chair of Governor Jim Hunt’s Health Coordinating Council.

A founding member of the Roanoke Rapids Junior Woman’s Club, she also served as a trustee of the North Carolina Hospital Association and won the Governor’s Volunteer Award.

She was a member of the Reviewers’ Book Club for more than 50 years.

The Boy Scouts honored her in 1993 with the Distinguished Citizen Award.

Born in Martinsville, Virginia, she attended nursing school at St. Luke’s Hospital in Richmond and served as a military nurse at Okinawa during World War II.

Vernon Bryant, chairman of the Halifax County Board of Commissioners, praised Adams as a “great woman who exemplified a great love for Roanoke Rapids and Halifax County. She served the community in many capacities but most notably as chairperson of the Roanoke Rapids Graded School District Board of Education.

“Mrs. Adams was my friend and confidant. As chairman of the Halifax County Board of Commissioners and on behalf of the commissioners, I would like to express our condolences to the family. She truly will be missed.”

Bill White, a local attorney and friend, stated, “She was the most remarkable lady I’ve ever met. Sarah loved Roanoke Rapids, and she wanted everything here to be excellent. She worked tirelessly and unselfishly for the hospital, the schools, and the community to be the very best they could be.

“She was relentless in her love of and passion for all of the components of this community, and she kept the bar high for each of these key groups.”

Rick Gilstrap, former CEO at Halifax Regional Medical Center, said, “Sarah Adams loved Roanoke Rapids and was active in various areas of the community. While I was president of Halifax Regional Medical Center, I worked very closely with Sarah as she served as chairman of the hospital board.”

Said Gilstrap: “She was very intelligent, hard-working, and supportive of the medical and nursing community. During her tenure on the board, the medical center experienced tremendous growth and improvement in quality. Sarah became a close, personal friend and has given me guidance for many years. She will be greatly missed.”

Allen Purser, CEO of the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce, said, “Ms. Adams was a very smart, concerned citizen who always wanted to make the Roanoke Valley a better place for everyone. I would spend time with her learning of the history of the Valley. She was a friend, a mentor and advisor. She will be missed.

Mario Fiorilli, internal medicine specialist at Halifax Medical Specialists, hailed Adams as a “gracious lady who was intense and intelligent. I feel privileged and honored to have been her physician and to have learned from her.”

Although Adams broke many barriers in leadership groups, she still prided herself most in her role as a homemaker, mother, and wife, according to many friends.

She was exceptional in her role as a wife to community leader Kirkwood Adams, who was president of the paper mill and mayor of the city of Roanoke Rapids.

She raised three children, all of whom graduated from Duke and earned graduate degrees.

A rabid Duke fan, she lobbied for local radio stations to carry the Duke games, and she was well-known for her Duke clothing and cheering paraphernalia.

A registered nurse by training, she always put the care of others ahead of her personal agenda, and her service to the community proved that to be true throughout her life.

A strong love of God and faith in his word created a desire to be helpful to others through service in the community.

In recent years, Sarah had been a mentor to many leaders in the community who found that the best course in leadership actually was in a comfortable chair in her living room.

Funeral services are incomplete but will be held later this week.

Memorial contributions may be made to the following: Roanoke Rapids Educational Foundation, 536 Hamilton St, Halifax Regional Medical Center Foundation, PO Box 1089, or First United Methodist Church at 339 Roanoke Avenue.