Roberta Y (Ford) Adams

Roberta Yvonne Ford Adams began building her legacy of love and fortitude at birth. She was born on January 5, 1945, to Johnny Lee Ford and Ruby Mae Hicks Ford in Maplesville, AL, as their only daughter. Roberta would grow up in Chilton County along with her brothers. She was a hard worker from a young age, and her abilities were quickly noticed by her employer.

She was given administrative tasks such as bookkeeping in addition to her housekeeping chores.

Roberta would graduate from Chilton County Training School as Salutatorian.

Roberta was united in holy matrimony to Askew Adams, Sr. for 58 years. This union was blessed with beautiful children, Angela Adams Moore, Askew Adams, Jr., Sabrina Adams, and her pride and joy - grandson, CJ Adams. Roberta and Askew, Sr. would raise their family in Alabaster, AL. She would become a lifelong respected mother of this community who was well-known and loved for her gentle manner, Godly wisdom, delicious cooking, and her homemade cakes.

Roberta confessed a hope in Christ at a young age at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Jemison, AL. After marriage in 1966, she joined the body of believers at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Alabaster, AL. In 2003, she joined the New Vision Christian Church Family in Helena, AL. Throughout her life, Roberta served faithfully as unto the Lord. She enjoyed the Word of God, Praise and Worship, and leading the Food Service Ministry. Roberta would continue to excel in her studies after high school.

She attended Daniel Payne College. While it seemed like everyone wanted her to become a schoolteacher, her fortitude would show again – she chose another route. Roberta would graduate from Bessemer State Technical College as an LPN and later graduate from Troy University as an RN. Her long workdays and longer study nights were a great example to her children of how one can accomplish their dreams. Roberta served as a nurse at Shelby Medical Center from 1979-2001.

She touched countless lives during her 22-year tenure. Her tenderness and genuine concern for her patients’ well-being touched their hearts beyond their hospital stay. It was a rare occurrence for Roberta to go anywhere without someone remembering her sweet bedside manner. Roberta loved life! She could find peace in solitude – by playing solitaire, reading, or coloring. She enjoyed making others happy with her re-nowned cooking and baking.

Roberta enjoyed the thrill of bargain hunting at a good sale or thrifting or yard sales – let’s just say SHOPPING! She liked to watch Jeopardy, and she was good at answering the questions. She was an avid fan of country music - she knew all the stars and everything about them. Roberta was on any cruise leaving. She enjoyed traveling.

She wanted to see the world. God called Roberta to her heavenly home on March 12, 2024. She is preceded in death by her parents, Johnny Lee Ford and Ruby Mae Hicks Ford; brothers, Charles Edward Ford, Freddie Lee Ford, and Alvin Ray Ford; and son, Askew Adams, Jr.

Roberta leaves to cherish her love and memories to her husband, Askew Adams, Sr., daughters, Angela Adams Moore (Joe) and Sabrina Adams both of Alabaster, AL; grandson, CJ Adams (Melissa) of Alabaster, AL; sisters-in-law, Marcia Dianne Ford of Calera, AL, Carrie Ford of Chicago, IL, Geraldine Manigault Long of Brooklyn, New York; brothers-in-law, James Adams (Junnie) of Pelham, AL, and Richard Adams of Alabaster, AL; aunt, Mattie Ford Simon; special cousin/sister, Ora Johnson; special nieces, Kathy Seay, Cheryl Ingram, Lenora Ford, Toya Ford and Janice Adams; grand -daughter, Laila Baker; goddaughter, Stephanie Taylor, god-sister, Cynthia Underwood; special friends, Rosia Dowdell, Shirley Hatcher, Regina Chambers, Sharon Kirkland, Mackie McNeil, and an abundance of nieces, nephews, cousins, family, friends, and loved ones. While Roberta was a mother to so many, she had a special relationship with “her girls”: Lolita Booker, Alice Jones, Betty Jean Taylor, Glenda Barnes, Lawanda Baker, Kendralyn Houser, Veronica Green, and Sybile Cathey Lilly will forever honor the times spent with her getting recipes, cooking tips, advice, and sharing special moments filled with laughter sitting around the kitchen table. Through Roberta’s love for the Lord, family, and community her legacy will leave a long-lasting impact.

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