WILHELMINA BURDEN ADAMS

On April 11th, 1931, in Portsmouth VA, Wilhelmina Burden was born from the union of her parents, William and Edna Burden. During her early years she grew up in Norfolk VA. The Lord almighty God called her home to heaven on the morning of Tuesday April 1, 2025. She departed this life peacefully with her family, friends, and caregivers by her side.

Wilhelmina (a.k.a. Winnie) was the youngest of two children born to the late William and Edna Burden. Her older brother Raymond, affectionately, playfully, and joyfully used to refer to his little sister as "Mouse."  Her parents then moved to Philadelphia PA where they lived and made a life at 24th and South Street in South Philadelphia, right on Philly's famous and iconic "South Street." In the 1940s, Winnie attended Audenried Middle School, then South Philadelphia High School for Girls - with the vision, intention, the burning desire to be the absolute best version of herself, and to make a powerful and meaningful contribution to society and the world. She was determined to carry this task out by having the greatest impact as a humanitarian, advocate, communicator, and healer.

In the 1950's, Winnie then was trained and educated at Philadelphia General Hospital (PGH) and became a Licensed Graduate Practical Nurse who then went on for the next 40 years to practice the art and science of nursing care, and truly- healing, listening, commiserating, understanding, and then treating her parents and residents and then healing them and improving their quality of life. She worked at various hospitals and nursing homes in the Philadelphia area serving as Charge Nurse and Director of Nursing, at such facilities as the Cobbs Creek Nursing Home and the Presbyterian Nursing Home

in 1956 she married Army Master Sergeant Raymond Leopold Adams and from that union four children were born: Anita Leslie Adams of Maryland, Raymond L Adams Jr., (deceased) of Swedesboro, NJ, Michael J. Adams Sr., of Pittsburgh PA, Robert W. Adams of Philadelphia PA.

As fate would have it, and as God would command it, Wilhelmina Adams was both baptized and married at the same church in Philadelphia PA. During her early years of marriage in the late 1950s and early 1960s, she and her husband traveled overseas and lived in Prestwick Scotland, Munich Germany, and Heidelberg Germany. She also spoke several languages and was fluent in German, French, and Latin. She also provided volunteer nursing care services to people in need in Germany.

Upon returning to the United States in the 1960s after living overseas, she then lived in Austin TX before returning to Philadelphia and residing in Southwest Philadelphia's Penrose and Town Garden section of the city of Philadelphia. From this time and for the next 4 decades she dedicated her life to her nursing work and to raising her family while instilling pride and dignity in all her kids.

Along with her activism, advocacy in community, civic and volunteer affairs, and matters in the Southwest and South Philadelphia area of the city - including being a volunteer lunch mother and mentor for kids at the elementary school level, a Girl Scout mom volunteer, a leader in the Parent Teacher Association in elementary, middle and high school, and a Sunday school teacher for children of all ages, she was a volunteer team worker who would help in feeding and providing additional assistance to the homeless in the areas of South and southwest Philadelphia.

Winnie also Found the time to be a lead singer in her own local jazz band in the 1950s. A strong advocate for education and leading by example, Winnie then pursued and obtained an associate's degree in psychology from the Community College of Philadelphia in 1980, which made her nursing work more powerful and effective for her patients. She was quite active and contributed heavily to the struggle of African Americans in the fight and quest for civil and human rights. She was also a member of the Eastern Star organization.

During her later years and for nearly the last 20 years of her life, she resided at the Manor Care nursing facility (now Eden East) on Lincoln Ave. in Lansdowne PA. Throughout this time Winnie's Beautiful and infectious personality was a beloved, respected and cherished by residents and staff alike as a great and fine human being, friend, counselor, advocate, spiritual mentor, and "Mother to all."

She was a woman of great faith, had the greatest spirit and believed in (as she would often say) "Having a close relationship with God and knowing the works of Jesus Christ while honoring God with not only your words, but also & most importantly,  your works and actions."

She is survived by her daughter Anita Leslie Adams, son Michael Jerome Adams Sr., son Robert W. Adams, and the entire extended family of the Adams genealogical tree. We Love You All.

Mom Winnie will be remembered and revered spiritually for a lifetime by family, friends, and many acquaintances. The entire Adams family would like to thank all of you for attending the Celebration of Life of Wilhelmina B. Adams.