May 13, 1938-March 20, 2024
Elizabeth Ann McAuley Adair passed away on March 20, 2024 at her home in Ridgeland, Mississippi surrounded by her immediate family. She was 85 years old and her demise was due to a fall and complications from hip surgery.
Elizabeth Ann was born in Union, Mississippi on May 13, 1938. She spoke fondly of her very early childhood years spent growing up at her paternal grandparents, Joseph and Viola McAuley in Uniontown, Alabama followed by living with her maternal grandparents, Ruben and Eliza Fowler west of Union, Mississippi-Sipsey Creek. She graduated from Union High School in 1956 and later from East Central Junior College where she was Head Drum Majorette for the marching band and was recognized as a Campus Beauty.
Elizabeth formally met her future husband, Horace Jr. of Decatur, their freshman year at ECJC though they did have a chance encounter in passing four years earlier as young teenagers in Union. They were married on June 5, 1959 in Philadelphia Mississippi at First Methodist Church. She then joined Horace in Opelika, Alabama at Auburn University where he was enrolled at the College of Veterinary Medicine. After he finished his doctorate, they returned to Union where he established his rural veterinary practice. She kept Horace going by managing his practice calls and appointments, seeing that their three boys were well cared for and masterfully kept the chaos and household running smoothly.
As for her three sons, Elizabeth was very engaged in their extracurricular activities, sports, and high school band. She was a Cub Scout den mother and successfully challenged all three sons to help them each attain Eagle Scout status.
As a young girl she was a member of First Baptist Church of Union and later after marriage she joined Union United Methodist Church and was a Children’s Sunday School teacher. Civically she was very involved with Union Public Schools as president of the PTA. As a long-time member of the Union Garden Club, it was under her leadership as President that the club achieved national recognition. She led the small-town group of 24 ladies to winning National and State Awards for their annual Flower and Garden shows.
A fantastic cook who loved the culinary arts, Elizabeth was into studying and learning new techniques and classic cooking styles. An avid gardener, her yards and gardens in Union and Ridgeland were renowned for their design and seasonal beauty. Her constant mantra over the last few years and even to the end was she had to get going because she had a whole lot of gardening that needed to be done. She was a gifted artist and was passionate about art, color, fashion, and interior design. Her life theme was all about creating beauty around her and for others to enjoy. She was continuously thinking up new ideas and plans. She stayed informed by her constant reading and study of art, flowers, gardening, nature, and fashion via her vast and extensive library of books she kept about her and on her computer.
Elizabeth Ann was predeceased in death by her father, Ruby William McAuley (June 27, 1912-December 11, 1946) and mother, Myrtle Fowler McAuley Ozborn (November 29, 1917-December 26, 2016). She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Horace R. Adair Jr.; three sons, H. Randolph Adair III, Richard McAuley Adair, and Christopher Robin Adair; sister Sylvia Ozborn Vance.
Elizabeth was taken back home to Union, MS on Saturday, March 30, 2024 for a 10:30AM graveside burial service in the Union City Cemetery. The service and eulogy was given by her son, Randolph. Sebrell Funeral Home in Ridgeland handled her funeral arrangements.
Paid Obituary
