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The obituary for Imagean Adams was so eloquently written and summed up the wonderful life she had and the love she had for her family. She was everything to everybody who had the privilege just to be in her presence.
I knew Imagean as she was involved in so many community activities, but I really got to know her when I went to work at Ralph Crisp Realty. She was co-owner and the broker-in-charge. And just because you got a real estate license does not mean you know how to sell real estate.
My sister Peggy, my cousin Charlotte and I got our license and went to work at Ralph Crisp Realty, where Imagean took us under her wing and showed us what selling real estate was all about. And, regardless of how stupid our questions were, she would laugh and put us at ease with her calming advice.
Imagean Adams was absolutely the best in her field. She had built a client list over e years that was unsurpassed in real estate. I do not think she ever lost a client, buyer or seller, they remained loyal to her because she was so impressionable.
Charlotte worked at the Andrews office, and Peggy and I joined Jean Twiggs and Audrey Bentley at the office Ralph and Imagean opened in Murphy across from what was the steakhouse, where Walgreens is located today. Audrey was appointed broker-in-charge and we were all apprehensive about our real estate abilities. We constantly called Imagean with questions and she graciously answered all of them.
On July 12, I went to see Imagean, and we had the best visit. We talked about all the real estate adventures we had and laughed about the time she listed a house over on the Hiwassee River going toward Hayesville. Audrey always insisted that we go check out all the new listings, so all four of us took off to see it.
When we got there, we went in the main level and, after a quick look, I took off down the wide wooden stairs to the lower level but could not find a light switch. So, I went to the window and pulled back the curtains some to let in the light. It was still somewhat dark down there, and I walked over to these double doors under the staircase, took hold of both handles and opened them wide.
When my eyes adjusted to the tiny bit of light in that space, I saw the profile of a tall man in the back right corner. I screamed with every bit of air that I had in me. I was just sort of frozen and I could hear Audrey, Jean and Peggy running back and forth upstairs like they did not know what to do. But, finally, Jean came to my rescue, turned on the lights and discovered it was a tall wooden Indian someone had put in that dark corner!
Imagean thought that was so funny and I can still hear her laughter today. She had the most wonderful laugh and a smile that would light up a room. We will miss this lady.
“Don’t grieve for me, she would have said, for I am walking now with Ray. Along golden paths of heaven until we’re joined again someday.”
Kandy Barnard is a columnist for the Cherokee Scout. To talk about the Andrews Valley, call her at 828-361-3268 or email kandybarnard@gmail.com.