"I have enjoyed my career as a teacher because of my love for young people, and for having the opportunity to teach my students not only Spanish and French, but also to have instilled in them the feeling that by studying the language, customs and cultures of other countries, hopefully, there can be world understanding."

Audrae Helen Adams (nee Hudson-Tavares), passed away November 23, 2009 at the age of 102.

Mrs. Audrae Hudson Adams' parents, Fred and Alberta Hudson-Tavares lived in Guanajuato, Mexico, the only black family in their community. They traveled to Denver, Colorado for her birth on December 21, 1906, so she would be born in the United States.

Mrs. Adams completed elementary and middle school in Mexico, but her father wanted her to attend high school in his homeland, Jamaica, West Indies. After graduating from a strict boarding school in Jamaica she enrolled in Howard University in Washington, D.C. She graduated cum laude in 1930. Mrs. Adams went on to earn a master of arts degree in French from Columbia University in New York City in 1933, which were pioneering times for black woman pursing a graduate degree.

Returning home after graduating from Columbia, Mrs. Adams decided that she wanted to teach language in the US. She applied to several schools, and St. Philip's College was the first to respond. She moved to San Antonio in 1934 to begin her teaching career at St. Philip's. She worked there for a year teaching Spanish, English, and religious education, and served as the secretary for Miss Artemesia Bowden, the inspiration and founder of St. Philip's College.

In 1935 Mrs. Adams was employed by the San Antonio Independent School District. She taught ten years at Douglas Junior High, 25 years at the former Phillis Wheatley High School and two years at Fox Tech. She taught several summers at Prairie View and Wiley Colleges. Mrs. Adams retired in 1972 after devoting 38 years to her life's work of nurturing and developing young minds.

After her retirement, Mrs. Adams was involved in many civic, social and religious activities, which helped improve the quality of life in her community. She was an elder in Holy Redeemer Catholic Church where she served faithfully for many years in the Ladies Sodality, the Christian Service Committee and as a Lector. She volunteered many hours to the Christian Assistance Ministry and served as Catholic lay minister at area nursing homes. Mrs. Adams was initiated into the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority 79 years ago on the campus of Howard University and was a charter member of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.

She was a past member of the Alpha Wives, Texas State Teachers Association, Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese Association, and was a member of the National Retired Teachers Association.

During her illustrious career Mrs. Adams received numerous awards and honors, including the Model Community Language Arts Award and the Archbishop Francis J. Furey Award.

Mrs. Adams was the widow of Bernard A. Adams, whom she met on a blind date. They were married for over 60 years. She has two daughters, Sylvia Adams and Hudson Tavares (Formerly Monica E. Adams), two grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

A service of remembrance will be held on Sunday, November 29, 2009 at 6 P.M. at Sunset Northwest Funeral Home, 6321 Bandera Rd., San Antonio, TX 78238. The funeral Mass will be held on Monday, November 30, 2009 at 9:15 A.M. at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 1819 Nevada. The interment will follow at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, you may send donations to; New Beginnings Children's Home@CanaanLandRanch www.christiancenter.com; [email protected] or St. Phillips College-Special Programs, 1801 MLK Dr., San Antonio, TX 78203-2098. To view Mrs. Adam's online memorial and sign the guestbook, please log on to sunsetnorthwestfuneralhome.com