Saturday, December 29, 2012Bethel Missionary Baptist Church

Tallahassee, FloridaRev. Dr. R. B. Holmes, Jr., Pastor

ObituaryDeacon

Benjamin Franklin aDamsTo every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven...

Ecclesiastes 3:1

a Time To Be BornBenjamin Franklin Adams was born in Linden, Alabama to the late Alf and Mary Adams on October 23, 1919. He was one of twelve siblings who were raised and nurtured in a Christian home by Christian parents. Early in their lives, the Adams children were strongly instructed and encouraged to have a personal relationship with the Lord and also secure a formal education. These cornerstones and important life lessons would be the building blocks upon which Benjamin Adams would build a life for himself and ultimately for his own family.

a Time To BUilDBenjamin Adams completed the public schools of Marengo County, Alabama. He would then enlist in the United State Marines Corp and join other young people of the greatest generation who would ultimately fight in World War II. Following his honorable discharge in 1945, Benjamin Adams would continue his education, first at Bishop State Junior College, where he would earn the Associate of Arts Degree and then continue his formal instruction at Alabama State, where he earned the Bachelors Degree in Social Studies and the Masters Degree in Secondary education.

In 1950, he pledged the Beta Zeta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Benjamin would ultimately become a Life Member in his beloved bond and would mentor several generations of initiates as Advisor to Alpha Xi and as an active member of the Tallahassee Alumni Chapter.

a Time To rejoiceBenjamin Adams met the former Ida Girvin in Pensacola and would ultimately marry her on August 16, 1963 and to this union would be born a Daddys Girl, Angela in 1969. Benjamin Adams would remain a devoted husband for 32 years until death did they part. Benjamin Adams would follow his parents example and provide his beloved daughter with Godly instruction on a personal walk with the Lord and the importance of a college education.

a Time To soWWith the exception of a stint with Atlanta Life Insurance Company where he would be recognized as the Salesman of the Year, Benjamin Adams would spend his entire career in education. First as a social studies teacher in Ozark, Alabama, Benjamin Adams would continue his career in education at Florida A&M University. He worked with the CETA Program and as University Bookstore Manager and as an Assistant Director in University Housing.

a Time To reaPBenjamin Adams would retire from Florida A&M University after nearly forty years of effective and exemplary service. During his tenure, his godly judgment and his genuine concern for young people would inspire and instruct a generation of young men on the finer tents of manhood. Most importantly, Benjamin Adams through out his adult life would enjoy a lifelong walk with the Lord and would serve as a member of the Deacon Board of the Bethel Missionary Baptist Church for nearly half of a century.

a Time To DieOn December 23, 2012, Deacon Benjamin Franklin Adams transitioned from the Church Militant to the Church Triumphant following a brief illness.

a Time To moUrnHe will be greatly missed by his daughter and son-in-law Angela and Davin Suggs, his granddaughter, Dillyn Ashleigh Suggs, his brothers, R.C. Adams (Martha), and W.G. Adams, his sisters, Juanita Adams Farris, Velma Adams Jones, and Essie Adams Spelman. He also leaves to mourn his passing two doting and attentive nephews, Quincy and Quentin Adams, a loyal caregiver, Mrs. Jennie V. Fowler, and a host of sorrowing family members, friends and extended family.

Celebration of the Life ofDeacon

Benjamin Franklin aDamsReverend O. Jermaine Simmons, Presiding

Pastor, Jacob Chapel Baptist Church

Processional Bethel Choirs

Hymn Bethel Choirs

Prayer Reverend Tony D. Hansberry, Presiding Elder Suwanne District, AME Church

Old Testament Reverend Dr. Craig P. Riley, Pastor Greater Mount Pleasant MB Church

New Testament Reverend Delwynn Williams, Pastor Saint John Missionary Baptist Church

Hymn Bethel Choirs

Reflections Deacon Charles Wright Deacon Bernard Kelly Brother Ralph Coleman, Jr. Resolutions Brother Darryl Jonesand Acknowledgements

Resolution from Brother Toraino OwensKappa Alpha Psi PolemarchFraternity Inc.

Special Tribute and Final Acknowledgements

Solo Brother Adrian Morris

Eulogy Reverend Dr. R. B. Holmes, Jr. Pastor

Recessional Bethel Choirs

PallBearersJoseph Bullard Ralph Coleman, Jr.Quincy Adams Quentin AdamsDarryl Jones Eli BryantMarlin Heyward Craig ReedAlvis Horne Michael SmithEarl Allen, Jr.

Honorary PallBearersDeacon Board of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church

The Tallahassee Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Charmers of the Leon County Charmettes, Inc.

James Goss Bernard KellyJames Barrett William Cotton Robert Carroll, Sr. Aubrey Perry, Sr.Thomas Jackson, Jr. Howard KnightCharles Wright Cornell CummingsThornton Williams John Grayson

FloWer aTTenDanTsTallahassee Alumnae Chapter ofDelta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Tallahassee Chapter of Jack andJill of America, Inc.

The Leon County Chapter of Charmettes, Inc.

Florida A&M University High School Class of 1987

Florida A&M University Athletics Department

AcknowledgementThe family of Deacon Benjamin Franklin Adams wishes to express their deep appreciation for the outpouring of love and support. For those friends and family who came across the miles to say We Love You, we thank you.

May His peace be with you til we meet again.

IntermentTallahassee Memory Gardens

ArrAngements ByStrong & Jones Funeral Home, Inc.

551 West Carolina StreetTallahassee, Florida 32301

850.224.2139

and

Bruton Mortuary635 Bruton Street

Bainbridge, Georgia 39819229.246.6042

The Measure of a Man

Not - How did he die? But - How did he live?Not - What did he gain? But - What did he give?

These are the things that measure the worthOf a man as a man, regardless of birth.

Not - What was his station? But - had he a heart?And - How did he play his God-given part?

Was he ever ready with a word of good cheer?To bring back a smile, to banish a tear?

Not - What was his church? Not - What was his creed?But - Had he befriended those really in need?

Not - What did the sketch in the newspaper say?But - How many were sorry when he passed away?

These are the things that measure the worthOf a man as a man, regardless of birth.

-Anonymous