Joyce Adams

Obituary for
Joyce JoAnne Adams (Briggs)

Age 85, of Spanish Fork, passed of a stroke
on April 28, 2019 at home in Bluffdale, UT.
Born March 10, 1934 to Emil and Phyllis
(Tietjen) Algier. Phyllis died of Tuberculosis leaving three girls under the age of three.
Joyce and Shirley were placed in foster
care, and joined the loving family of Jesse
E. and Blanche Aston Briggs of Bountiful,
UT acquiring four other adopted siblings,
Jay, Alice, Virginia and Margie. Joyce
remained there until graduating from Davis
High School—class of 1952; and at 18
legally signed her own adoption papers to
these wonderful caring parents.
Later moving to California, she met her husband Edwin Verl Adams,
son of Ruby May Hancock and George Rudger Adams, and married
May 23, 1956 in the Salt Lake Temple. Following in her parents
footsteps, they took in foster children and eventually adopted two
little girls, half-sisters.
Joyce was a true helpmate to her husband in whatever was needed.
Moving took the family between Utah and Arizona eventually settling
in the Salem, Spanish Fork area. Her working experience in retail
sales provided the opportunity to do what Joyce did best: care and
love other people. Twenty-Four years was spent working for Wonder
Bread, finishing off with a brief time at Macey’s in Spanish Fork.
Joyce loved caring for the living, but also pursued genealogical research
for both her biological and adopted families. She actively
served in many church callings, from Young Women’s, Primary,
Relief Society President and Instructor, librarian, Compassionate
Service and Family History Center. Her life was an active example
of her abiding testimony of her Savior, Jesus Christ and his teachings.
Joyce will be greatly missed by family, friends and relatives. Special
thanks to Applegate Hospice Care of American Fork, UT and Nelson
Family Mortuary of Orem, UT in caring for our beloved mother.