Rev. Judith Marie Adams, 71, of Logan, Ohio, formerly of Nelsonville, passed away Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at The Carlin House, Logan, Ohio. 

Judy was born on October 29, 1954, in Nelsonville, Ohio to Billy Joe Powell and June (Six) Powell. Judy graduated from Nelsonville York H.S. in 1972 and Circleville Bible College (Ohio Christian University) in 1976 with a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies and then earned her Master of Divinity at Asbury Theological Seminary in Ky. graduating in 1981. Judy began serving in ministry in the church she grew up at, Nelsonville Wesleyan, while in Seminary and then served as a Minister in the Wesleyan Church as Director of youth and children at North Rome Wesleyan Church (81-84) in Pennsylvania and then at Living Word Wesleyan Church in Elyria, Ohio (84-87). She then opened her heart to say yes in marriage to Philip Wanck and his 10-yr old son Gabriel in 1987, where they shared many years of life and ministry together.

As an avid teacher and emerging preacher with a heart for people of all ages to know the love of God through Jesus, Judy was ordained an Elder in Full Connection in the United Methodist Church in June 1990 and continued her ministry in the Wyoming Annual Conference (Susquehanna Conference), until her retirement. Judy served as Associate Pastor at Elm Park in Scranton, Pa., also teaching Church History at the University of Scranton. She continued in iterate ministry serving as Senior Pastor at Pittston and Old Forge UMC’s, in Pa., Chenango Bridge UMC, N.Y. and Clarks Summit UMC, Pa., before moving back to Ohio to care for family while preaching God’s word. 

While serving in Clarks Summit, Pa., Judy married the wonderful Fred Adams of Nelsonville, Ohio and together they continued to share the Gospel at Tuppers Plains and Little Hocking UMC’s. Even as her heath became a great burden their ministry grew in new and great ways as those who cared for them were taught the Love of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  

Throughout her life Judy knew the tangible love of God and shared that with the world around her. She enjoyed playing piano, singing, reading, traveling to the mountains and the coast but most of all she loved her family and friends. She is survived by her husband Fred Adams brother Tim Powell (Gloria), two nieces Teige (Uriah) Fisk, Heather (Travis) McElfresh, four sons, John (Kim) Adams, Tim (Kelly) Adams, Chuck (Julie) Adams, and Gabe (Sarah) Wanck.

 Judy loved and celebrated her grandchildren, great grandchildren and great nieces and great nephew: Jacob (Misty) Craig, Olivia and Henry, Nicholas Adams, Alexandria Adams, Alexis (Ryan) Newlun, Brooklynn, Sarah (Dakota) Hook, Theodore and Benjamin, Abigail (Sean) Ennis, Kaitlynn Shryock, Hudson Wanck, Charlie Jo and Jaxie Fisk, MacKena and Ruger McElfresh.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents, beloved aunts, uncles and so many others.  

Funeral Services will be held at 11am, Monday April 20, 2026, at Nelsonville Wesleyan Church, Nelsonville, Ohio with Rev. Mike Thomas officiating. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery,

Nelsonville, Ohio. Calling Hours will be 2-4 & 6-8 pm, Sunday April 19, 2026, at Warren-Brown Funeral Home in Nelsonville, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Nelsonville Wesleyan Church,600 Chestnut St. Nelsonville, Ohio 45764, or to Hocking Hills Church 13580 Maysville-Williams Rd. Logan, Ohio 43138.