Rev. James Adams

Rev. James (Jimmy) Franklin Adams, Sr., age 93 of Mount Holly, NC and formerly of Kershaw, SC, passed away Sunday, October 19, 2025. Born in Kershaw, SC, he was the eldest child of the late Arthur Benjamin Adams and Odessa Ogburn Adams.

Rev. Adams was a graduate of Kershaw High School and Furman University. In addition, he completed two seminary master’s degrees. He also served his country in the United States Army during the Korean conflict. During his military service in Korea, he worked with the Army medical corps building orphanages. Following that time in the service, Rev. Adams pastored several churches during his many years in ministry. Rev. Adams enjoyed walks in the neighborhood, jigsaw puzzles, woodworking and was an avid reader. He also cherished the time he spent with his grandchildren. Rev. Adams was a volunteer with K.A.R.E and enjoyed helping deliver Meals on Wheels.

James Adams was a beloved Dad and Pawpaw. His strength of character, kindness and love for others were evidenced in how he lived his life and cared for those the Lord placed in his path. Those who knew him appreciated his compassion, patience and deep faith. He will be deeply missed.

He is survived by his two sons; Jay Adams and his wife Karen of Bloomington, IN; Tom Adams and his wife Lisa of Mount Holly, NC; four grandsons, Lucas Adams and his husband Ken Guerra of Washington, DC; Matthew Adams and his wife Victoria of Dallas, TX; Alex Adams and his wife Emily of Mount Holly, NC; and Zach Adams of Mount Holly, NC; his sister, Ann Byrd of Lancaster, SC; three brothers, Bobby Adams and his wife Jean of Newnan, GA, Ken Adams and his wife Polly of Kershaw, SC and Benny Adams and his wife Deresa of Kershaw, SC; and two sisters-in-law Harriet Ann Jones and Judy Leverett of Lafayette, AL. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of fifty years Martha Leverett Adams and his sister Jackie Summers.

The family will greet friends on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM in the sanctuary of Kershaw Second Baptist Church, Kershaw, SC.

The funeral service for Rev. Adams will be held immediately following the visitation at 2:00 PM in the church sanctuary. The Revs. Dr. T. Jason Moss and Tommy McClusky will officiate. The burial will follow in the Fork Hill Baptist Church Cemetery, Heath Springs, SC.

Memorial remembrances may be made to Kershaw Second Baptist Church, 7737 Kershaw Camden Highway, Kershaw, SC 29067, First Baptist Church-Stanley, P.O. Box 490, Stanley, NC 29164 or K.A. R. E. (Kershaw Area Resource Exchange) P.O. 364, Kershaw, SC 29067.

Arrangements are under the care of Baker Funeral Home, Kershaw, SC.