Lela Darlene Adams

Darlene Adams, was born May 21, 1953 in Gadsden, Alabama to Talmon “Tab” Aaron Preston and Esther “Gaynell” (Alvison) Preston. She was the youngest of six children. From childhood Darlene was spiritually hungry and searched for the truth, and for the true God. She learned that God’s name was Jehovah from her mother who had studied the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses when Darlene was a baby and was determined to learn more. The local church was offering free Bibles to anyone who attended three Sundays in a row. Darlene and her sister, Joyce walked to church those three Sundays to get their free copy of the Bible and listened intently for them to talk about Jehovah. When they didn’t hear what they wanted in Sunday School with the other children, they decided to attend lessons with the adults, and were yet again disappointed. Darlene started praying to Jehovah as a little girl even before she knew him. Because her mom had already told her that Jehovah’s Witnesses had the truth, Darlene and her sister, Joyce eventually began attending meetings with Jehovah’s Witnesses, even riding in the back of a pickup truck when required to get to the meetings. Throughout her life, Darlene was an avid student of the Bible. Darlene, her sister, Joyce, and their close friend, Judy Sandlin Kopittke were all baptized and dedicated their life to Jehovah together on March 16, 1968, in Alex City, Alabama at a circuit assembly. She graduated from Jones Valley High School in May 1971. She married Jimmy Adams on June 19, 1971. Together they had two children, Paul Jared Adams and Logan Preston Adams. Darlene and Jimmy were married almost 53 years. Darlene’s love of people was evident to all who met her. As a result of her love of people, the same year she was married, Darlene became a regular pioneer and continued to be a regular pioneer until her death, for over a period of 50 years. She spent countless hours preaching door to door and studying the Bible and teaching Bible truths to hundreds of people. She was actively teaching Bible students right up until her death. She enjoyed 56 years of faithful service to Jehovah. Darlene had an adventurous spirit and a personality that was always joyous! Her mother was quoted as saying, “I should have named her ‘Sunshine’”. Sunshine perfectly describes Darlene’s personality – she was always happy and made everyone she met feel special. Often, she would have laughter in her voice as she greeted those she hadn’t seen in a while. She loved traveling, horses and researching her ancestry. Just this past year she traveled to Ireland to learn more about her ancestry. Her love of horses can be seen throughout her home. You can find horses in every room, and for many years she had numerous horses that she loved to care for and ride. She was always ready for another trip or adventure! She was a mother to so many other than her two sons and was affectionately referred to as “DeeDee” by all those that she unofficially adopted as children. Darlene was 70 when she fell asleep in death on April 20, 2024, in her home in Bessemer, Alabama surrounded by her family and friends after a lengthy battle with cancer. Darlene is survived by her loving husband, Jimmy Adams, her sons, Jared (Karla) Adams, Logan Adams; special Daughter-in-Law, Renee (Dannon) Appleyard; her Grandson’s, Gavin Adams, Brodic Appleyard, and Sonny Paul Adams; Granddaughter, Axie Bleu Adams; Sister, Joyce (Fredy) Hope; Special Nieces, Terri (Randy) Owens, Teyona (Dale) Weaver, and Tonya Hope; Nephews, Judson (Marcia) Hope and Jeff (Kay) Preston; Numerous other nieces and nephews; Special friends Drusandria “Dru” Dunnaway, Judy Kopitke, Pam Smith White and many, many more; Special Son, Jody Thrasher. She is predeceased by her parents, Gaynell and Talmon Preston; Siblings William Jerry Preston, Terry Wayne Preston, Chiquita ”Tina” Geraldine Dill and Jeanette Daline Jennings. Darlene left a legacy of love behind. She made a special effort to make everyone in her presence feel like they were the most important person and treated them as if they were her beloved family members, always keeping in mind that they were Jehovah’s beloved children. She knew Jehovah’s love for us all was real and that we are all his children. Darlene would always strive to make others feel loved as much as she felt loved by Jehovah and did so to a fault. She never considered putting herself ahead of others. Her son Jared is quoted as saying, “my greatest strength is from the loving smile that my mom shared with everyone that she met. Her smile never withered or gave false hope. It was a sign of the pure love that Jehovah has for all his children. My mom’s smile stood for JEHOVAH’S LOVE. She wanted everyone to feel the same love she felt, she knew and taught me that Jehovah is love.” Darlene’s hope in the resurrection was firm until the very end when she told her family that she expects to see them waiting on her when she wakes up. She loved her God Jehovah and his son, Christ Jesus and told all who would listen about the hope of a “new heavens and a new earth” (Revelation 21:3,4). The Adams’ family would like to say a special thank you for abundant love shown during this difficult time. We greatly appreciate all the visits, meals, kind words, and prayers. As a result, we have felt “the peace of God that surpasses all understanding”. (Philippians 4:7)