Notes for Alvin Clay ADAMS, Jr.: April 24, 2004: Polly (STEVENS) FLOWERS telephoned this evening to advise that Alvin has passed away earlier today. He had learned earlier this year that he had colon cancer. I had the pleasure of meeting Alvin and his wife Ada last July at the LETT Old Settlers Reunion in Zanesville, Muskingum, OH. My next contact with Alvin was at our STEVENS' Reunion in Beverly, Washington, OH, in August of 2003. His father, Alvin Clay ADAMS (my great uncle, a brother to my grandfather, James L. ADAMS, Jr.), died in Jan. 1938 when Alvin was 9 months old. I don't know at what point the ADAMS' family lost contact with Alvin's mother, Ada (HOLBERT) ADAMS, but fortunately he made contact with our family in later years. I had planned on visiting with Alvin and his wife on my next trip to OH next month (May 2004) to have an opportunity to share old photos of the family that had belonged to Papa and Grandma ADAMS, as well as Uncle HARRISON and Aunt Mertie (MAYLE) ADAMS. I will be visiting with Alvin's wife next month to share these photos, but more importantly to keep in touch with her and their children.
******************************************************** Ref. http://www.dispatch.com/obituarie: ADAMS Alvin Clay ADAMS, 66, a founder of the Multicultural Genealogical Center in Chesterhill, OH, died peacefully at home on April 24, 2004. He was born Alvin Clay ADAMS, Jr. on April 30, 1937 at the foot of Carr HILL in Morgan County OH to Alvin Clay ADAMS and Ada Blanche HOLBERT. In 1959 he became the first BLACK student to graduate from OH University with a journalism degree. In addition, he was a founding member of the Kappa Alpha Psi OU Chapter. After college, he worked as a city HALL reporter for the Chicago Daily Defender and, later, as an associate editor at Jet Magazine. He spent over thirty years doing public relations for a variety of companies including the United Auto Workers and the State of Illinois. He retired in 1997 from Illinois Power Company of Decautr, IL. For six years he was co-owner with his wife Ada of Oakland Market & Deli, a neighborhood grocery store in Decatur. In 2003, Al was awarded the L.J. Horton Distinguished Alumnus Award by OH University's E.W. Scripts School of Journalism. Other awards included an Outstanding Small Business Award, acknowledgement in the Congressional Record, and recognition from the Tabor School of Business at Milliken University. Al is survived by his wonderful wife of forty-three years, the former Ada Woodson of Nelsonville, OH; daughter, Amelia Marie ADAMS of NORMAN, OK; son, A. Clay ADAMS, III of Urbana, IL; one sister, Dessie NICHOLS BUTCHER WORKMAN of STEWART, OH; two maternal aunts, Naomi BAKER and Phyllis NICHOLS; three maternal uncles, Jim, Dave, and Dick HOLBERT; numerous other relatives and many fantastic friends. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, grandparents Luther and Dorothy HOLBERT, four maternal aunts Frieda and Gloria HOLBERT, Anna Owens, Dorothy HILL, and one maternal uncle Carl HOLBERT. Near the end of his Days, Al reflected that "The lord provided me a fruitful and interesting life." Those wishing to remember his life are invited to attend the memorial service on Thursday, April 29, 2004 at 10:30 a.m. in JAGERS AND SONS FUNERAL HOME, Athens followed by interment at Greenlawn Cemetery in Nelsonville. Visitation hours at the funeral home are Wednesday, April 28 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Well-wishers may either send FLOWERS to the funeral home, or send a donation in Al's name to the Multicultural Genealogical Center Building Fund c/o Mildred Vore, Treasurer, P.O. Box 125, Chesterhill, OH 43728.
********************************************************** First BLACK Scripps school alumnus dies
by John Nank For The Post john.nank@ohiou.edu
OH University's first BLACK student to graduate with a degree in journalism died in his home Saturday.
Alvin ADAMS, a 1959 graduate, was a founding member of OU's Kappa Alpha Psi chapter and a founder of the Multicultural Genealogical Center in Chesterhill, OH. He was awarded the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism's L.J. Horton Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2003.
After working in newspaper, magazine and public relations, ADAMS retired and returned to the Athens area a few years ago. He worked closely with OU's Department of African-American Studies to create Community and Campus Day, an annual celebration of the cultural history of African-Americans and their experiences in the OH River Valley.
The next Community and Campus Day is scheduled for May 22.
"He loved his alma mater. He was a dear friend of the department of African-American Studies," said Vibert Cambridge, chair of the department of African-American Studies. "He will be remembered as someone who had pride in the contributions African-Americans have made to the American dream and the American success. He was just an outstanding, generous man."
ADAMS also routinely spoke with journalism classes at OU and worked with United Campus Ministries as a presenter for their tours of historic Underground Railroad sites of southeast OH, UCM's Jan Griesinger said.
"I count him as a friend; it's a terrible loss for us," Griesinger said.
ADAMS and his wife of 43 years, Ada ADAMS, had two children, daughter Amelia Marie ADAMS and son A. Clay ADAMS III.
"People will remember him as a soft-spoken, gentle person, one who thought very carefully about what he said and how he said it," said Ada ADAMS. "I can say the university was very important to him, also."
Memorial services will be Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at Jagers and Sons Funeral Home in Athens, with burial at Greenlawn Cemetery immediately following. Visitation hours will be today from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
FLOWERS can be sent to Jagers and Sons Funeral Home, and donations can be made in ADAMS' name to the Multicultural Genealogical Center Building Fund, c/o Mildred Vore, treasurer, P.O. Box 125, Chesterhill, OH, 43728.
Alvin Clay ADAMS, Jr. (b. 30 Apr 1937, d. 24 Apr 2004)
Notes for Alvin Clay ADAMS, Jr.: