About Us
Wendell Adams began designing granite monuments at his father’s monument shop in Mattoon, Illinois during the 1960s. Wendell’s father, Thurmond Adams, learned the trade from his uncle, Ralph Thurmond, at one of the industry’s oldest monument shops located in Marion, Illinois, the Thurmond Monument Company (est. 1910).
Wendell and Carol Adams opened Adams Memorials at its present location in Charleston, Illinois in February, 1975. Only a few months after opening, Wendell doubled the new building’s work area in order to accommodate his growing business. Within 2 years, he opened a second location in Mattoon, IL and has been adding sales offices in East Central Illinois ever since.
Today there are 14 Adams Memorials locations. Adams Memorials employs 55 sales associates, concrete finishers, installation specialists, etching and engraving artists and office personnel. Wendell consistently looks for the most innovative and energy efficient equipment available and has searched all over the world for cutting edge technology and quality stone products.
Carol Adams grew up near St. Louis in Highland, Illinois. Carol came to Charleston in 1970 to attend Eastern Illinois University. She married Wendell in 1971 and they have three children: Zach, Ann and Taylor. Carol handles client service matters and oversees customer service communications, along with Wendell’s scheduling. In her spare time, Carol enjoys volunteering with several local organizations.
