Viewing: Thursday, November 30, 2023 at Mount Zion Missionary Missionary Baptist Church, 868 W. 9th Street, Riviera Beach, Fl 33404 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m

Memorial Service: Thursday, November 30, 2023 at Mount Zion Missionary Missionary Baptist Church, 868 W. 9th Street, Riviera Beach, Fl 33404 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Service: Friday, December 1, 2023 at Greater Bethel Primitive Baptist Church, 1340 W. 30th Street, Riviera Beach, Fl 33404 @ 11:00 a.m.

Interment: Friday, December 1, 2023 at Royal Palm Memorial Gardens, 5601 Greenwood Ave, West Palm Beach, FL 33407

Reverend James E. Adams

The Essence Of His Life

September 18th, 1939 - November 19th, 2023

James Edward Adams was born to the late Alexander and Lula Mae Adams in Dublin, GA on September 18, 1939. He was reared in a Christian home and actively involved in St. Paul AME Church. James attended elementary and middle school in Laurens County. He had a strong desire to leave Georgia and move to West Palm Beach, FL to live with his father. After relocating to South Florida, needing a church home, he joined the New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, under the pastorage of Reverend Dr. Dan N. Connor. James served as the junior superintendent in the Sunday School Department. He graduated from Roosevelt High School, Class of 1957. James continued his education at Savannah State College and North Carolina Central University.

James E. Adams was a business-minded young man. He started his career in the insurance industry and earned salesman of the year multiple times. James went on to become a successful real estate investor. In 1973, he was instrumental in the founding of First Prudential Bank, the first minority- owned commercial bank in Florida, which was in West Palm Beach. It later became Southcoast Bank Corp.

In the late 1950’s, James met the then Cynthia Bettye Darville. After a brief courtship, he proposed on her birthday in February of 1960. She accepted the proposal on June 25, 1960 at 6:00 P.M. at the Fifth Street Church of God in West Palm Beach, FL, James and Cynthia were united in holy matrimony. This marked the beginning of their 42-year lifelong love affair together. To this union, he brought one son, Spencer Dwight Adams. On December 31, 1964, a special gift from God was born to them, Belinda Chwanda Adams. Family time was important to James. He made provisions for them to travel around the country and to the Caribbean Islands. He loved sharing with them his stories, his wisdom, and the Word of God.

In 1968, James E. Adams was called to preach the gospel. He was licensed by Reverend Arthur H. Lockett on Sunday, November 17, 1968 at Saint James Missionary Baptist Church in Riviera Beach, FL. It was December 19, 1971 when Reverend James E. Adams began his service as the Spiritual Leader of Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Riviera Beach, FL. The Mount Zion Family designated time during the month of January to pay tribute and honor our pastor during several worship celebrations. The culminating services were held on the third Sunday.

Reverend James E. Adams truly had a shepherd’s heart for the sheep at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church and his church was his priority. His passion in life was to share the gospel with men, women, boys, and girls. He would witness to people on a daily basis from his car, his home, his sick bed, or wherever he met people. He would ask them, “Do you know that God loves you and has a plan for your life?”

To further his religious education and preparation for spiritual leadership, Reverend Adams attended both the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) and the J. T. Brown Seminary.

Reverend James E. Adams was a mentor and actively involved in his church and community. He was the founder and first president of Palm Beach County Interdenominational Pastors & Ministers Association. The mission of this organization was evangelism, education, and social justice. He served as President of the Baptist Ministers’ Conference of the Palm Beaches. Pastor Adams and Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church became members of Florida East Coast Baptist Association. He served as 1st and 2nd Vice-President of the District Congress of Christian Education, a member of the Board of Directors, and as the Board Secretary. He held positions from the mid-1970s through the late 1990s, serving under Moderators Rev. P. W. Williams and Rev. Dr. W. O. Wells, Sr. Reverend James E. Adams was awarded the Key to the City of Riviera Beach in January of 1984, attesting to his dedication to the people of his community. He even purchased a restaurant to provide jobs for his parishioners who desired employment. This is just a small example of his passion for his community and how he deeply loved people.

Reverend Adams demonstrated enthusiasm in his life’s work as a minister. He showed by example that he was a “Man of God.” As a “God-Fearing Man,” he believed that God must be first in our lives. In his 52 years as a pastor and Spiritual leader, he ordained seven (7) deacons and licensed twenty-six (26) preachers, of which seven (7) were ordained and five (5) became pastors. He has been a Spiritual father and mentor to numerous sons and daughters in ministry. Reverend Adams has poured into the lives of so many people.

On Friday, November 17, 2023, Reverend James Edward Adams celebrated his 55th Preaching Anniversary. On Sunday, November 19, 2023 at 12:10 A.M., he answered the Master’s final call and transitioned to be with the Lord.

He leaves to cherish his memories with his beloved son, Spencer D. Adams, a loving and devoted daughter, Belinda C. Smith (Alexander); five grandchildren, Vincent II, Kiarra, Jacoby, and Destiny Washington, and Atoshia Coleman; two goddaughters, Angela M. Williams and Leanna Maria Hines-Bradley; four sisters, Lillie Mae Adams Johnson, Gloria Walker, Gwendolyn Nancy Horton (Thomas), Linda T. Harris; three sisters-in-laws, Delores Carter, Gladys Darville, and Gloria Darville; devoted friends, Dan Calloway, Frankie Johnson, and Shirley Simon; compassionate caregivers, Orthell Hepburn, Cedrick McNealy, and Dr. Brandon West; the faithful Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church family; godchildren, Belinda Hanna and Deandra Taylor Estelle; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Reverend Adams’ life affirmation was “I am strong in the Lord and in the power of His might; walking by faith, favor, love, and not by sight.”