Sarah Louise Mcadams

Sarah Louise McAdams was a loving mother, grandmother, and friend. At age 93, she passed away in her sleep in the early morning hours of April 8, 2025.   Born at home on February 22, 1932, Louise was the daughter of Arthur Lee Manning Sr. and Sarah Louise (Corman) Manning. She was raised as the youngest and only girl with two adoring older brothers, Arthur and Thomas, who fondly nicknamed her “sister baby”. As a child, she exerted her independence and free spirit nature while playing outdoors, participated in girl scouts, and referred to herself as a tom-boy in her youth. Louise was also a member of the varsity speedball team at Glen Burnie High School, and helped them to win a county championship. She wore homemade dresses that were stitched together by her mother from feed sacks, as material was scarce and expensive during the great depression. While Louise grew up with few material luxuries, she treasured the fierce love her mother had for her and how she was taught to hold tightly to her faith above all else.

At 17 years old she married a neighborhood friend, John Gordon McAdams, who became the love and joy of her life. Louise and John were married on December 31, 1949 in Ferndale, MD. Despite all odds, they built their home in Fern Glen Manor on love and devotion, starting their journey with nothing but hope and a vision for their future as a family. Together they raised their four children and remained married for 58 years until his passing in 2008. They were devoted to each other through the loss of their first daughter, Darlene, through John’s cancer treatments, and by navigating each chapter of life as parents, grandparents, and great grandparents. She has missed him tremendously for the 17 years they have been apart.

Louise and John prioritized family vacations in Ocean City every summer, but they also made sure she had time to enjoy trips with her girlfriends. Together she and her friends traveled numerous times to Florida, Bermuda, San Juan, Puerto Rico, the Cayman Islands, and Cancun, among other tropical destinations. She has held these memories and experiences close to her heart. Louise also appreciated seeing Broadway musicals and traveling to New York City at Christmas with the Ferndale Roadrunners. Being named “woman of the year” twice, she was passionate in raising funds for St. Jude’s Research Hospital through her sorority, Epsilon Sigma Alpha- the Alpha Kappa chapter. She also worked hard in funding cancer research through heading a Cancer Ball, a Cancer Bikeathon, and a Cancer Rollerthon. Though Louise had quite the fiery and independent spirit, she will be remembered most for her tender heart that cared for others in need. This includes how she cared for her mother Sarah Manning and her dear friend Anne Barget until their time on Earth was through. Even when she did not have much strength as she aged and her health declined, Louise remained a gentle friend to all God’s creatures including nursing fallen baby birds to health, caring for stray and elderly cats, and making sure all of the neighborhood squirrels were well fed.

Sarah Louise McAdams leaves behind her son John McAdams (granddaughters Melinda and Jennifer and great grandchildren), her daughter Dawn Becker and son-in-law Ray (grandchildren Juliann/Jay Walls and Raymond/Katie Becker and great grandchildren Austin, Jack, Alexander, Charlotte, and Eloise) and her daughter Kelly West. She also leaves behind cherished nieces and nephews (Arthur, Chris, Bonnie, Linda, Sally, Mark, Tommy, and their families) and her dear sister-in-law whom she loved as her own, Pauline Manning.

A service, in celebration of Sarah Louise McAdams’s life, is scheduled for 12:00 on Friday April 18th, at the Kirkley-Ruddick Funeral Home in Glen Burnie, MD where friends and family may also visit prior to the service from 11:00-12:00. After the service, an interment at Glen Haven cemetery will be held including bag-pipes in honor of her being reunited with her husband of Irish heritage.

Family and friends may visit at the KIRKLEY RUDDICK FUNERAL HOME on Friday, April 18th, 11:00am - 12:00pm. Funeral service, Friday, April 18th, 12:00pm, Interment immediately following at Glen Haven Memorial Park.