Mrs. Celia Adams
On August 30, 1920, the late Mr. Peter and Mrs. Savannah Dent Tucker celebrated the birth of their oldest daughter Celia Mae, in Washington County, GA. Her sisters were Geneva and Harriette. Her brothers were Ruby, Willis, James, Johnny B., Vennis Lee Tucker, and Willie Mack Davis. All have preceded her in death.
On February 21, 1937, she married the late Mr. Oscar R. “Burke” Adams. They celebrated over sixty years of marriage before the Lord called him home in April, 1997. Their union was blessed with twelve children. An infant son and toddler daughter Janelle preceded them in death.
She was educated at the Tucker School in Wrightsville, Georgia under the leadership of Professor John D. Tucker, her uncle. Her love of reading and belief in education inspired generations in her family. She began her spiritual journey at the Mount Pleasant A.M.E. Church in Wrightsville and later joined the Zion Hope Baptist Church in Tennille upon marriage. She was appointed Mother of the Zion Hope Baptist Church in 1961 and served faithfully until her death. In addition to her faithful service to the Zion Hope Baptist Church family, she was a pioneer and very active in the early development of the Usher Board Convention comprised of Burnette Grove A.M.E., Greater New Hope Baptist, Samuel Grove Baptist and Zion Hope Baptist Churches.
Mother Celia Mae was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great-great grandmother. Her devotion extended to families in the community and especially to her Zion Hope Baptist Church family.
On the evening of Wednesday, May 24, 2017, Mother Celia Mae made her transition to her heavenly home to live eternally with our Lord and Savior. Her passing was as peaceful and sweet as her life. She was the epitome of love, patience, grace and kindness. Her spirit touched everyone she met. She had a calm and pleasant aura that exuded the light of Jesus. She was indeed a Proverbs 31 virtuous woman.
She is survived by her daughters: Ms. Mary B. Adams, Mrs. Gladine Roddie and Mrs. Theresa A. Stephens of Tennille, GA; Mrs. Mildred (Willie) Chapman of Queens, NY; and, Mrs. Angelia A. (Jerome) Holmes of Augusta, GA; sons: Mr. Oscar R. Adams, Jr. of Newark, NJ; Mr. Ronnie (Alice) Adams and Mr. Willie F. (Edna) Adams of Tennille, GA; Mr. John (Glenwood) Adams of Rockaway Beach, NY; Rev. Eric T. (Sandra) Adams of Augusta, GA; and, Mr. Jimmy Brinson of Tennille, GA; a devoted grandson, Mr. Keith S. Adams, Tennille, GA; twenty-four grandchildren; thirty-one great grandchildren; ten great-great grandchildren; sisters-in-law: Minister Lelia M. Taylor, Fort Valley, GA; Mrs. Ella Bell Tucker, Jacksonville, FL; and Mrs. Alice Tucker, Baltimore, MD; special niece: Ms. Alvon Hunter, Dublin, GA; special god daughter: Mrs. Pearline Hurst, Tennille, GA; a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held on Monday, May 29, 2017 at 12:00 noon from Zion Hope Baptist Church with Rev. Grady Bell officiating. Interment was held in the church cemetery. M. C. Smith Funeral Home was in charge.