Deacon Youngford
Zetha Adams, son of the late George and Goldie Adams was born November 14,
1926 in Middlesex, North Carolina. Zeke was the last living child of nine
children born to George and Goldie Adams. On November 16,2004, God called
his faithful servant home as he quietly slipped away at Hahneman University
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Zeke as he was affectionately known, was
baptized in 1938 at White Oak Hill Baptist Church in Middlesex, NC. He
received his education at Richard B. Harrison High School in North Carolina
and graduated at East High in Youngstown, Ohio in 1944. In 1945, he was
drafted in the U. S. Army and served in World War II and received his
honorable discharge in 1947. After being discharged he worked at the
Youngstown Republican Steel Mill.
1948, he relocated to Middlesex, NC where he leaned his trade,
construction, under the direction of his wife’s father, James Hunan and
built his first house in North Carolina where he met, fell in love and
married Pearl Hunan-Adams on July 20, 1949. From this union they were
blessed with four children, his son, Cecil and his daughters, Olivia,
Barbara and, Debra. Zeke and Pearl moved back to Youngstown Ohio in 1956,
where he worked with the Mahoney County Engineer Corporation as a concrete
engineer and later became self-employed as a general. contractor and
builder. During this time he built his second home. Zeke was ordained as a
Deacon and taught Sunday School in 1958 at Holy Trinity Baptist Church,
Youngstown, Ohio under Rev. E. F. E. Rhaines. In 1969, Zeke moved his wife
and children to Germantown, Pennsylvania - and taught Sunday School at
Grace Baptist Church, while making plans to build his third and present
home in Thorofare, New Jersey, where the family moved to in 1970. Soon
afterwards the family joined Bethlehem Baptist Church under the pastorate
of the late Rev. Vincent Cream and taught Sunday school and served on the
Deacon board. He retired as a general contactor and builder in 1987. In
1990 they moved their church membership to First Baptist Church of Jericho
under the pastorate of Rev Emmanuel Lyons and presently under. Pastor
Clabon Bogan Jr., where Zeke served m the Deacons Ministry for seven years
and resigned May 8.1997. He was an avid student of the bible; often seen in
Church school and Tuesday Bible Study. Zeke will be dearly missed and
leaves to cherish his memories his devoted wife of 55years, Pearl Adams,
his son Cecil of Thorofare, NJ; daughters, Olivia (Marlon) Ramsey,
Pasadena, CA; Barbara (Ronnie) DeShields, Pasadena, CA; Debra (Lorenzo)
Smith, Westville, NJ. Five grandchildren; Skeeter, E. J., Franklin, Ronald
and Destiny. Seven great grandchildren; Destinee, Anthony, Haileigh,
Ezhana, Kaleah, Jalen and Aniya; sister-in-law' Marie Adams, special friend
Mr. "Herman" Garnett; and a host of nephews, nieces, and many
devoted and special friends. "I have fought a good fight, I have
finished my course I have kept the faith, and henceforth there's a crown of
life waiting for me, and not to me only, but to all them that love his
appearing. " II Timothy 4:7-8
