Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

February 24, 2026

CHARLOTTE - Benjamin Phillip Adams, III (82) passed away on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, after a brief illness. Phil was born on September 10, 1943, in Orangeburg, S.C. to Benjamin Phillip Adams Jr. and Edna Geneva Monroe Adams.

Phil graduated from Orangeburg High School, and then Wofford College in 1965, where he was a member of Kappa Alpha fraternity, the Wofford College Senate, the Glee Club, and he received the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award. He was a life-long learner and earned his master’s degree in Adult Education from North Carolina A&T State University in 2004.

He was passionate about many things – first and foremost his family. He was married to the love of his life, and they had two wonderful children. Phil cherished family trips to the beach and a special 50^th anniversary family trip to Alaska. He relished the title of Grandaddy and enjoyed attending the grandchildren’s various sporting events, recitals and school celebrations. Phil had many cousins located throughout the United States and made an effort to keep in touch with each one, including organizing family reunions.

Phil was involved in Boy Scouting from a young age, advancing in rank and earning his Eagle Scout Award in 1959. He was a life-long Boy Scout for more than 55 years and made lifetime friends in the Scouting community. He served as a Cubmaster and the District Scouting for Food Coordinator for more than 10 years. He received the Vigil Honor Order of the Arrow, the Wood Badge, the Apache District Award of Merit and the NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award from the Mecklenburg County Council.

After years in the wholesale building products industry, Phil launched his second career teaching at Central Piedmont Community College. In this role, he helped countless students prepare themselves for the workforce, evaluate career transitions and achieve financial literacy. He also enjoyed participating in multiple operas through the CPCC Theater and maintained his relationship with the school through the CPCC Retirees group.

Most importantly, he was passionate about his faith and his relationship with the Lord. He served in various churches throughout his life and was most recently a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church. His years of church service included serving as a Deacon, Stephen minister, Sunday school teacher, choir member, participating on multiple lay renewal teams among other roles. His life verse was Mark 1:35. Everyone who knew him loved him and appreciated his sincere concern for others, his humor and kindness.

In addition to his parents, Phil was preceded in death by his sister, Edna Geraldine Adams. He is survived by his wife Peggy Adams, son Phillip (Rachel) Adams and their children Lawson and Claire; daughter Elizabeth (Robert) Green and their children Tyler and Addison.

A celebration of life will be held at 4:00 PM on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Westminster Presbyterian Church with Rev. Owen Stepp and Rev. Leslie Dibble officiating. The family will receive friends at a reception following the service.

Memorial contributions may be made in Phil’s memory to the Phil and Peggy Adams Endowed Scholarship at Central Piedmont Community College (Central Piedmont Community College Foundation, Attn: Catherine Cole, PO Box 35009, Charlotte, NC 28235 or online at Make a Donation | Central Piedmont Community College Foundation by selecting "Pledge Payment" as the gift designation and write "Phil & Peggy Adams" in the text box), Scouting America Mecklenburg County Phil Adams Memorial (https://donations.scouting.org/council/415/appeal/9541) and Westminster Presbyterian Church (101 Colville Road, Charlotte, NC 28207).

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.