Ralph E. Adams

Mr. Ralph E. Adams, age 97, of Union City, passed away peacefully Friday, September 11, 2026, after a long and distinguished life dedicated to his family, his community, education, and service to others.

Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Monday, September 14, 2026. at White-Ranson Funeral Home, with Bro. Eddie Mallonee officiating. Burial will follow in East View Cemetery. Visitation will be on Monday beginning at 12 p.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Matt, Clay, and Ty Goodrich, Bobby and Craig Muller, and Keith Chesser. Serving as honorary pallbearers are Lee Fry, William Fry, Steve Goodrich, Michael, Kevin, Jay, and Clay Adams, Damon Campbell, Bruce Moss, Al Creswell, David Hayes, Bedford Dunavant; his long-time secretaries, Elizabeth Grimes, Amanda Cranford, Tina Edwards, and Marilyn Murphy; his beloved caregivers, Connie Siglow, Sherry Surratt, Angela Rivas Flores, and Vanessa Harris-Vickers; and the agents of Century 21 Golden Service Realty & Auction.

He was born to the late Alton Bryant “B” Adams and the late Elizabeth Bradberry Adams. On September 18, 1948, he married the love of his life, Bobbie Jane Dunning. Their love story began much earlier, when they met in the eighth grade, and from that time forward, they remained devoted to one another. Together, they shared nearly eight decades of marriage, building a life and legacy that will be remembered by all who knew them.

Mr. Adams proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War. During his military service, he was entrusted with the important responsibility of serving as a driver for many high-ranking generals. His ingenuity and artistic talent were also recognized when he won a design competition to create a new license plate for the vehicles of Army generals. His winning design featured a single star-an enduring symbol of a general’s rank. The distinctive design became a recognizable feature on generals’ vehicles and can still be seen today in historic Army photographs and classic military films.

Before entering military service, Mr. Adams was a successful businessman, first owning a used car business and later operating Adams Grocery Store. Following his honorable discharge from the Army, he continued his education, earning his degree from Bethel College and later his master’s degree from Murray State University. He began his career in education teaching in Sharon and Greenfield.

In 1960, Mr. Adams and his family made their home in Union City when he accepted a position as principal of Union City Elementary School. During the years of desegregation, he also served for two years as principal of Miles Elementary School. Throughout his career with the Union City School System, he served in numerous leadership roles, including teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent. His dedication to education and the children of his community left an indelible mark on generations of students and families.

Mr. Adams was also a hardworking entrepreneur with a passion for many different ventures. Alongside his career in education, he operated his own country ham business, Ralph Adams Country Hams. Through hard work and determination, he cured and sold more than 3,000 country hams each year. He later became a licensed auctioneer, adding yet another successful chapter to his entrepreneurial life.

In 1973, Mr. Adams retired from the school business and devoted himself to real estate and auctioneering, founding Ralph Adams Real Estate & Auction Company. In 1982, he purchased a national real estate franchise and became Cenury 21 Golden Service & Realty, Inc., a business that became a well-known and respected part of the Union City community.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Mr. Adams believed deeply in serving his community. He was a member of Rotary, a Mason, a Shriner, and was a County Commissioner. He was also a longtime and faithful member of First Baptist Church in Union City, where he served as a Deacon. His faith, generosity, work ethic, and willingness to serve others were defining characteristics of his life.

Mr. Adams will be remembered not only for his many accomplishments, but also for the countless lives he touched through his service, leadership, friendship, and unwavering devotion to his family. From his military service and career in education to his many successful business ventures, he lived a life marked by purpose, perseverance, and a genuine commitment to his community.

In addition to his wife, Bobbie, Mr. Adams is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Connie and Lee Fry of Union City, and Jan and Craig Muller of Nashville; four grandsons and their spouses, Matt and Gina Goodrich, Clay and Haley Goodrich, Ty and Laura Goodrich, and Bobby and Heather Muller; one step-grandson, William Fry and his wife Jessica; eight great-grandchildren, Marcie Goodrich, Myles Goodrich, Colby Goodrich, Mabel Goodrich, Harrison Goodrich, Tucker Muller, Lexi Muller, and Tanner Muller; three step-grandchildren, Jaden Wood, Haley Thomas, and Scout Treece; one sister, Betty Chesser of McKenzie; five nephews, Keith Chesser, Michael Adams, Kevin Adams, Jay Adams, and Clay Adams; and one niece, Tammy Chesser Maxwell.

Above all, he will be remembered as a devoted husband who found the love of his life as a young boy in the eighth grade and continued walking beside her throughout his remarkable 97 years. The love shared by Ralph and Bobbie stands as one of the most beautiful parts of his legacy.

His memory will live on in the hearts of his family, friends, former students, colleagues, business associates, church family, and the many people fortunate enough to have known him.