Carol Adams Phelps

LEWISTON – Carol Adams Phelps, 89, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021. Carol was born on Jan. 10, 1932, the daughter of Chester and Vivian Flanders Adams in Concord, N.H.

At an early age, Carol’s cousin taught her to play the piano and later arranged for her to have organ lessons. She gave her first recital at age 12. Carol graduated from Concord High School where she played center guard on the basketball team. She continued playing basketball at Providence Bible Institute where she majored in music and Christian education, earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in music education.

Carol then moved to Boston and worked for an insurance company. While in Boston, she took an elementary education course at Boston University. Carol moved to Aurora, Illinois for four years where she took a course in library science, and worked at the Aurora Public library.

In 1962, Carol moved back to Concord, NH, to be with her ailing mother. She resumed being the Advent Church organist, and worked in the children’s room at the Concord Public Library. It was in Concord that Carol met Thomas Phelps and they were married on October 5, 1963. Whenever Tom and Carol moved, she found librarian jobs in Dover, NH, Rochester, NY, and Bangor, ME. No matter where Carol and Tom were living and working, she also became the organist at one of the local churches.

In 1975, Carol and Tom moved to Auburn. She became the organist at the Advent Christian Church and was hired as assistant reference librarian from 1975 – 2001 at the Auburn Public Library. She then became the Assistant Reference Librarian from 2001-2005.

Carol began attending Court Street Baptist Church with Tom in 1993, which she described as, “the beginning of the best time of my life!” She served on the Diaconate Board and volunteered in the Clothes Closet, where she met many friends. She joined many groups at the church and she thrived on staying active. Even when she went to live at the Sarah Frye Home, she remained very active and an avid reader.

Carol was predeceased by her husband Tom in 2006 and her parents.

She is survived by a sister Nancy Johnston of Duxbury, Mass. and a cousin Joyce Baudouin of Aurora, Ill.; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022 at the Court Street Baptist Church where a memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. Wednesday.

Online condolences may be shared with her family at http://www.thefortingrouplewiston.com

Arrangements are with Fortin Funeral Group, 70 Horton Street, Lewiston.

In lieu of flowers,

memorial donations

may be made to:

Court Street Baptist Church

129 Court St.

Auburn, ME 04210