Albert Adams

Albert Adams

Albert Adams was born on December 16, 1918. He was the fifth of twelve children born to the late Van and Martha Adams in Bailey, North Carolina. He attended public schools until the 8th grade before working full time on the family farm up through his teenage years until his call of duty to his country for World War II.

During World War II Albert was drafted to serve his country on May 27, 1942. He was assigned to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Later he was detailed and did tours in Europe through Italy, France and Germany and then a tour through North Africa and the Middle East where he served a total of 2 years and 7 months. He received an Honorable Discharge as a Private First Class from Military Service on November 27, 1945. He was awarded the European and North African-Middle Eastern Campaign medals, 3 Bronze Service Stars, the Good Conduct Medal and the WWII Victory medal.

Upon returning from service back to the United States, he enrolled in the Agricultural School of Spring Hope, N.C. where he graduated with a Certificate in Mastering Farming. He was paid a stipend by the school for the development of High Yielding Corn Production. His farming expertise was reciprocated to the family farm under the tutelage and supervision of his Father Van Adams.

While still in North Carolina his father bestowed him land, due to his passion for baseball, which he cleared and built a baseball field where he started a minor feeder league among his local peers for the Negro Baseball League.

On September 21, 1950 in Holy Matrimony, he married the love of his life Mildred Pulley of Spring Hope, N.C. In 1952, they moved to Washington, D.C. To this union, they were blessed with the birth of three children, Lavelle, Gail and Shafton. As a family man his tenacity of hard and honest work eventually led him to a career with the U.S. Postal Service where he worked as a locksmith in the Mail Equipment shop in NE Washington, DC until he retired with over 33 years of service in 1985.

Albert was an avid worker in his community where he lobbied with other civic minded residents within the DC government for a new recreation center in his Fort Davis SE neighborhood. He helped raise money for the Boys Little League Club for the Fort Davis Recreation Center and was Block Captain for a few years in his SE community as well.

In 1960, Albert led his family to join Peace Lutheran Church in NE Washington, DC. During his tenure at Peace Lutheran Church, his entire family was baptized and active in various positions of the church. Albert served as Secretary of the Lutheran Layman’s League and also served with the Meals-on-Wheels program for numerous years. He actively worked on the Property Board, Welfare Committee and was an Usher in the church. He remained a loyal and faithful member of the church and became the eldest male in the church. He was bestowed the distinguished honor of “Father of the Church” until his recent passing.

Albert actively and selflessly supported his Country, community, church, family and friends. He also relished life with vacations, travel and adventure for his family. He enjoyed being a member on a local bowling league for several years. He had a voracious appetite for reading the local daily papers and spent many hours reminiscing and telling stories of his early life and his time spent in the Army. He had an unfathomable memory and could accurately name and place historical events as well as people and personal references. At any time, you could see him doing Word Search puzzles or intricate adult coloring books. He was a big fan of Western movies and televised Major League baseball games. He was an avid Baltimore Orioles fan up until the inception of the Washington Nationals and then pledged his fan support to them.

Albert was charming, and charismatic. He loved life and knew life was for living. He had a sense of humor that was somehow genetically passed down to his entire family. He had an unquestionable level of integrity. He was the epitome of a man’s man. He could work on, build and fix just about anything he put his hands on. He had a patient, humble and quiet spirit and had an infinite amount of love and compassion to share to anyone and everyone that entered his life. His kind words and wisdom were shared and given to many.

Albert is now resting with his wife, parents, brothers and sisters, and one great grandchild, who preceded him in death.

Albert leaves behind to celebrate life and to cherish his memory, two sisters Willa Wilkins, Pennie Adams, one sister-in-law Yvonne Mills, two sons, Lavelle (Karen) Adams, Shafton (Carolyn) Adams, one daughter Gail (Anthony) Thurston; ten grandchildren: Kimberly (Kevin A. Sr.) Carr, Lavelle (Cecelia) Adams, II, Tiana Proctor, Ahmad (Sabrina) Adams, Jovann (Trina) Adams, Sr., Jarelle (Victoria) Adams, Janee’ Adams, Diane (Travis) McLaurin, Tracy (Shelman) Burton, Markia; nineteen great grandchildren: Amanda (John), Kevin Jr., Kendall, Trae, Jared (Cynthia), Elena, Tamia, Briana, Makai, Brooke, Baylor, Trey, Logan, Lake, Jovann Jr., Jace, Giana, Cameron and Jalen; three great-great grandchildren: Graison, Dakota, Brixton; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of other family and friends.

Alberts lineage was the motto of the family, “ADAMS STRONG”. His memory and spirit will live on in all of us who knew and loved him so much.