Alma A. Adams, whose career as a teacher and counselor in Baltimore public schools spanned 46 years, died Monday at Sinai Hospital after a heart attack. She was 81 and a Wabash Avenue resident.

Services for Mrs. Adams were being held today at Faith Baptist Church, Bond Street and Ashland Avenue.

She retired in 1981 as a counselor at Greenspring Junior High School.

The former Alma Alexander was a native of Houston. She grew up in Baltimore and graduated from Douglass High School. After studying at Coppin State College for two years, she earned a bachelor's degree at what is now Morgan State University and master's degrees at New York University and the Johns Hopkins University.

Her husband, Clarence Adams, died in 1968.

She is survived by a niece, Frances Webb of Baltimore.