Ernest R. Adams

Ernie Adams, former business executive with Evening Post Publishing Company, parent company of The Post and Courier, has passed away at his
home after battling esophageal and stomach cancer for several months. His family was with him during his final days. He was 76.

Ernie joined The Post and Courier and The Evening Post in 1963 as a classified advertising salesman, and later named manager of the department. After Evening Post Publishing acquired The Aiken Standard in Aiken SC, Ernie was transferred to that newspaper as advertising director, and eventually named business manager. His career progressed as Evening Post later acquired The Daily Banner in Cambridge, MD, and Ernie was transferred there as general manager. A similar acquisition of The News Virginian in Waynesboro, VA brought him there as president and general manager. After six years in that position, Ernie was brought back to the Charleston newspapers in 1980 and appointed to the Board of Directors of Evening Post Publishing Company, with duties as director of marketing and sales for The Post and Courier and direct supervision of all advertising sales, circulation and distribution, and promotion of the newspaper. During the next several years, Ernie led the newspaper through several changes, including innovations in sales, market
research, targeted publications, zoned distribution and promotions. He was later named president of a new holding company with supervision of all subsidiary newspapers in South Carolina and North Carolina, as well as heading the initial team that brought The Post and Courier into the internet age
with Charleston.net and ThePostandCourier.com. After serving in that position for three years, Ernie opted for early retirement in 1999 at age 63 and 36 years of service with Evening Post Publishing Company.

Ernie was always active in the communities where he worked. He was a past president of the Charleston Jaycees; past president of the Advertising Federation of Charleston and recipient of that national organization's prestigious Silver Medal; past president and honorary life member of the Mid-Atlantic Newspaper & Marketing Executives; past state vice-president of the International Newspaper & Marketing Executives; and an active member of the State Press Associations in South Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland. He was a member of various Advisory Boards in different cities, including United Way, Salvation Army, Red Cross, and Chambers of Commerce. He was a former member of the Executives Association of Greater Charleston, and at one time served as Co-Chairman of the Charleston Postal Customer Council. During his membership with The Rotary Club of North Charleston, Ernie was especially proud to have sponsored his wife, Nina, as a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow.

He obtained his private pilot license in 1972 and for a few years enjoyed leisure weekend flying with his wife and friends in Maryland and along the east coast. He also enjoyed occasional golf, photography and coin collecting.

Ernie and his family are former members and strong supporters of St. James Episcopal Church on James Island. They are former members of The Country Club of Charleston, and current honorary life members of the James Island Yacht Club.

Ernie is a South Carolina native, son of the late Mr. & Mrs. Forrest R. Adams of Anderson SC. He was born in Walhalla SC in 1936; raised in Anderson SC
and an honor graduate of the original Anderson Boys High School. He was a cum laude graduate of Limestone College in Gaffney SC, and was Limestone's Alumnus of the Year in 1992. He served as a Sgt in the Marine Corps with his last tour at Headquarters Marine Corps,Washington, D.C.

Ernie is survived by his wife of 40 years, Nina, along with their two sons, Dr. Bryan Adams and his wife Michelle, of Gainesville FL; and Matthew Adams, paramedic with Charleston County EMS, and his wife Kristen, of Charleston SC. He also is survived by a son, Kendall Adams, and a daughter, Paige Childs, both of Greenwood SC, from his earlier marriage of twelve years. There are two grandsons, Nicholas and Corey Adams, one granddaughter, Chelsy Cox, and one great granddaughter, Kinlee Adams, all of Greenwood SC. He has two sisters still living in Anderson, SC, Mary Gordon and Patricia
Pharr.

A private graveside service will be held in Beaufort National Cemetery. Friends are invited to join the family at the home of Ernie and Nina at 674
Beauregard St., Charleston, SC for a celebration of his life between 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 18, 2012. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pet Helpers, 1447 Folly Road, James Island, SC 29412 or Lutheran Hospice of South Carolina, PO Box 805, White Rock, SC 29177.