Deacon Suggs

Saturday, December 29, 2012 Bethel Missionary Baptist Church Tallahassee, Florida Rev. Dr. R. B. Holmes, Jr., Pastor

Obituary Deacon Benjamin Franklin Adams To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven...

Ecclesiastes 3:1 A TIME TO BE BORN Benjamin 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 BUILD Benjamin 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 Master’s 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 REJOICE Benjamin 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 “Daddy’s 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 SOW With 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 REAP Benjamin 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 DIE On December 23, 2012, Deacon Benjamin Franklin Adams transitioned from the Church Militant to the Church Triumphant following a brief illness.

A TIME TO MOURN He 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 of Deacon Benjamin Franklin Adams Reverend 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

Pallbearers

Joseph Bullard Quincy Adams Darryl Jones Marlin Heyward Alvis Horne Earl Allen, Jr.

Ralph Coleman, Jr. Quentin Adams Eli Bryant Craig Reed Michael Smith

Honorary Pallbearers

Deacon 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 James Barrett Robert Carroll, Sr. Thomas Jackson, Jr. Charles Wright Thornton Williams

Bernard Kelly William Cotton Aubrey Perry, Sr. Howard Knight Cornell Cummings John Grayson

Flower Attendants Tallahassee Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Tallahassee Chapter of Jack and Jill 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

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 Jones and Acknowledgements Resolution from Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.

Brother Toraino Owens Polemarch

Special Tribute and Final Acknowledgements Solo Brother Adrian Morris Eulogy

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

Recessional Bethel Choirs

Acknowledgement

The 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.

Interment

Tallahassee Memory Gardens

Arrangements By Strong & Jones Funeral Home, Inc. 551 West Carolina Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301 850.224.2139 and Bruton Mortuary 635 Bruton Street Bainbridge, Georgia 39819 229.246.6042

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 worth Of 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 worth Of a man as a man, regardless of birth.

-Anonymous