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Mrs. Lt. Colonel Ruby Adams was recently promoted to Glory on March 2, 2001, from All Saints Heathcare Center in North Hollywood, Calif., after an extended illness.
Ruby Palm was born in Hannaford, N.D. in 1922. The family became Salvationists when they met the Army in Anaconda, Mont. Ruby spent the rest of her growing years in Wenatchee, Wash., until leaving for the Training College.
She was commissioned with the Steadfasts Session in 1942. Following several corps appointments she was involved in the musical program at So. California Division for five years until her marriage in 1950 to Captain Leonard Adams. They served in corps and divisional appointments before Lt. Colonel Leonard Adams had a five-month assignment to Vietnam in 1966.
At the School for Officers Training in San Francisco she was responsible for the banding and music program. They then served as divisional leaders in Alaska; their appointment as leaders in the Hong Kong Command was cut short by his declining health. When serving as assistant principal at the SFOT he was promoted to Glory in 1973. Mrs. Adams continued at the School until appointed head of the territorial music department. She retired from the position of assist. field secretary for personnel in 1987.
Ruby shone in many fields of music. An accomplished trombonist, vocalist, pianist, composer and arranger, she conducted band and choral groups as well. Her musical skills have influenced and blessed Salvationists not only in the Western Territory and Hong Kong, but in other countries where she led a 1974 tour of the Far East with a group from the San Francisco Chinatown Corps. In 1948 she became the first woman Salvationist to have a band arrangement published. She also had a Songster number, “Whiter Than Snow,” published in Musical Salvationist. In addition, her beautiful drawings adorned many Army publications.
Funeral services were conducted by Lt. Colonels Herbert and Donna Wiseman at Forest Lawn, Glendale, Calif. Interment was in Colma, Calif.
She is survived by two sons, Kenneth in San Francisco and Gregory, of Van Nuys. Messages of sympathy may be sent to the family at: 18238 Jovan St., Tarzana, CA 91335.