Maria Teresa Adams was born on January 26, 1950 to Jesus and Dolores G. Garza.  She entered final rest with her Lord and savior on October 8, 2021.  She was 71 years old.

Mrs. Adams lived in Encinal all her life except for a few months when she was in Memphis, Tennessee with her husband while he was in the United States Navy.  She was the Principal's Secretary at Encinal Elementary School for over 50 years.  Her service to others was not limited to the needs of the school staff and students.  Mrs. Adams' selfless service extended to other areas of the communities of Encinal and Cotulla, and she was an honorary mom to her children's friends who visited the family home.  She relished any opportunity to help others as able, and she did so with her trademark smile.  She embodied a spirit of charity, friendship, kindness, and compassion.

Mrs. Adams is preceded in death by her parents, Jesus Garza and Dolores G. Garza, her sister Alma Delia Herrera and her brother Jesus Garza.  She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Jose Alberto Adams, their children Michael Lee Adams, Vanessa Lynn (Stefan) Nordell, Bryancy Adams (Miguel Rodriguez), their grandchildren Joseph Michael Adams and Natalie Nicole Adams (Michael Lee), Gabriel Nordell (Vanessa Lynn), Amira Arabella Adams, Bryan Matthew Adams-Rodriguez, Samuel Jose Adams-Rodriguez and Alora Rose Adams-Rodriguez (Bryancy), her sister Elodia Garza and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation will be held at Peters Funeral Home in Cotulla, Texas on Thursday, October 14, 2021, from 4:00PM to 9:00PM, with the holy rosary being offered on her behalf at 7:00PM.  Funeral Services will be held on Friday, October 15, 2021, at 11:00AM at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Encinal, Texas. Interment will follow at the Encinal Cemetery.  The family will host a reception in her honor at the Encinal Community Center after the graveside service has concluded.