James Roland Adams


3 Sept 1921- 9 April 2000

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He Kept the Faith
On Sunday, April 9, 2000 brother Roland Adams departed this earthly realm and entered into that rest for which he had striven for many years. His funeral service was held in the Obion Church of Christ building in Obion, Tennessee on Wednesday 12, 2000. Virgil Hale conducted the funeral, assisted by Albert Gardner, Keith Cozart, Billy Voss and me. As this earthly tabernacle, in which brother Adams resided for 78 years, lay in the casket, his well-worn New Testament lay open in his hands. The opening was to the second letter of Paul to Timothy. Highlighted upon the open page was: "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth thereis laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."

This highlighted passage not only points to the confidence Roland Adams had of a place prepared for him in heaven, but it points to his life's work; to lead as many people to their awaiting crown as he possibly could. Roland Adams did a great work in the state of North Carolina, as well as in other states. He was instrumental in the beginning of more than one congregation in North Carolina. He started the congregation in Lumberton, N. C. and labored there for a great number of years. I personally know of more than one member that were converted either directly or indirectly by the preaching of brother Adams on various radio stations in North Carolina. Although he had retired from full time work and had moved from the state of North Carolina prior to his death, we can still say that we have lost a great soldier for the cause of Christ in North Carolina. Brother Adams will be missed, but his work will be carried on by others. May we all so live that we will be reunited with our brother when we too leave this earthly tabernacle.

Robert C. Oliver, P. O. Box 193, Clinton, NC 28329
May 2000, Carolina Messenger

Brother Roland was born 3 Sep 1921 in Obion, TN; he married Elsie L. Raymer on 24 Aug 1943; and died 9 Apr 200 in Byhalia, MS. His parents were Richard Isiah Adams and Nezzie Dorcas Wall.

September 3, 1921 (Obion, TN) - ?
Biographical sketch: Preachers of Today, Volume Two (Batsell Barrett Baxter & M. Norvel Young, eds.). Nashville, TN: The Gospel Advocate Company, 1959, pp. 2-3.
Biographical sketch: Preachers of Today, Volume Three (Batsell Barrett Baxter & M. Norvel Young, eds.). Nashville, TN: The Gospel Advocate Company, 1964, p. 2.
Biographical sketch: Preachers of Today, Volume Four (Batsell Barrett Baxter & M. Norvel Young, eds.). Nashville, TN: The Gospel Advocate Company, 1970, p. 1.
_ (Baptist Church); Fagus, MO; August 1956

_ (?); Lumberton, NC; 1966; WAGR radio

Brother Adams is buried in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Obion, TN. Here are directions to his grave: When you turn down the Cemetery Road (actual name, but the road sign spells cemetery wrongly), if you turn left on the first gravel drive before you pass any headstones, Roland's and his family's plots are some of the first ones by the road. (His wife Elsie shares a double stone, and his oldest and only son, Don is next to them). GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 36.27170, Longitude: -89.18000.