John Erskine Adams

John Erskine Adams passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at the age of 75, in his home in West Columbia, South Carolina.

Erskine was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2019, squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue in 2023 and myelodysplastic syndrome in 2024, and passed away from all the complications of cancer and cancer treatment.

Erskine was the seventh son born to the late James Erskine Adams and Thelma Bailey Bridges on March 22, 1950. His precious mother, Thelma, affectionately referred to him as "little Johnny." He was predeceased by three brothers, Bryan, Fred and Julian, and one sister Sybil Wagoner. Erskine was also predeceased by his son-in-law, Timothy William Browning, "Tim" Browning, the father of Emma and Will.  

Surviving are his wife, Wanda W. Adams, a son, Grant Erskine Adams (Crystal) with their two children, Aiden and Caleb, and a daughter, Lisa Browning Golden (Jared) and their four children Arrowyn and Shiloh Golden, Emma and Will Browning. Also surviving are three sisters, Vira Bullins (Ken), Linda Lambert (Norman) and Ann Nabors (Mack), and three brothers Glenn (Betty), Vinson (Sandra) and Gary (Katherine). 

Erskine served four years in the United States Air Force, was a deputy sheriff with the Laurens County Sheriff's Department, and worked at Michelin Tire Corporation for 32+ years. He developed many long-term friendships throughout those years and communicated regularly with many. 

Erskine so enjoyed bike riding, camping and hiking throughout the mountains of North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, but especially Cataloochee Valley in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. He enjoyed spending time with his family, not just immediate, but extending to brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews, and he loved them deeply. Erskine was unwavering in this faith and love for Jesus Christ throughout his life. This was evident to everyone who knew him and to those he met during his lifetime. 

Please join the family as we host a casual gathering to remember Erskine and his life on Sunday, May 18, 2025  at 3 p.m. at Calvary Chapel Lexington, 1156 Barr Road Lexington  SC  29072. 

Donations, in lieu of flowers, can be made to Friends of the Smokies at https://friendsofthesmokies.org

I, and all of Erskine's family, would like to thank the many, many people (friends, former co-workers, neighbors, etc.) who prayed for him throughout the years he battled cancer. He and I were strengthened and blessed through those prayers.