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Afesa Adams Obituary
1936 ~ 2018
Afesa Marie Adams, mother, daughter, sister, niece, grandmother, great grandmother, and dear friend made her Home Going journey on May 6, 2018. Afesa was born to Eddie and Annie Adams on February 20, 1936 in Greenwood, Mississippi. At the age of 6 her parents and family moved to Salt Lake City. Afesa grew-up and married Augustus Bell and they had five children. Marie, at the time, worked at Clearfield Job Corps and completed her bachelor's degree at Weber State College/University. She went on to complete her Masters and Ph.D. at the University of Utah. In 1975, Afesa, three children, and soon to be husband Allan Nathaniel moved to Gainesville, Florida where Afesa was a professor in the Department of Psychology. Afesa and Allan returned to Utah where Afesa was the Chair of the Department of Family and Consumer Studies and then became the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, the first position at the University that held responsibility for diversity on campus. In 1987, Afesa returned to Jacksonville, Florida to serve as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of North Florida. In February 2011, Dr. Adams received the University of Utah Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award. Afesa retired in 2013 after serving eight years as Senior Research Associate at Florida Institute of Education. Dr. Adams received Professor Emeritus at both the University of Utah and University of North Florida. Afesa's greatest love was her family. She was closely and lovingly connected to all of her family members and gave valuable counsel to all, wanted or not. She was also very connected to her friends and colleagues. Afesa was preceded in death by her father and mother, twin sons, two husbands, one daughter Suzanne (Rickey), sister, aunts, uncles, and friends. She is survived by two sons Steven (Beverly), David (Teri), brothers Henry and Charles, 4 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, nephews, nieces and extended family.
Funeral services will be held Friday, May 11, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. at the Calvary Baptist Church, 1090 S. State Street, SLC. Interment at Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions can be made to
Eddie & Annie Adams Educational Foundation
C/O Charles Adams
187 Maritime Terrace
Hercules, CA 94547
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Afesa Adams
Bonnie McCullar
May 3, 2020
I will always remember Dr. Adams with affection and admiration. What a great lady she was.
CLEMENTINE PIGFORD
May 3, 2020
Forever grateful for friendship...
CLEMENTINE PIGFORD
May 3, 2019
MARIE HAD A FRIEND NAMED"MICKEY". IF YOU SEE THIS NOTICE AND CAN PUT ME IN CONTACT WITH MICKEY/MICHAEL, PLEASE DO SO.
Dr. Barbara Darby
May 3, 2019
Afesa is missed in our community. Her wisdom and calm demeanor were always positives in any meeting.
Mari Terbrueggen
May 29, 2018
Afesa was one of the dearest people I've ever known. She was always quick to smile, say hello and stop to talk no matter what she was doing. The world is a better place because of her. She will be missed.
May 22, 2018
Sorry for your loss. "May the god of all comfort," (2 Co 1:3) be with you in your time of grief .
CLEMENTINE W PIGFORD
May 17, 2018
To my Marie...her smile launched 40 years of memories.
May 17, 2018
She was Marie, Marie Bell. We met in Job Corps and became fast friends! She was the librarian, and I was the Speech Therapist and Teacher.
I met Gus, her mother, and her wonderful children. Her mother cut my hair! Marie 's candor was shocking and refreshing. I loved to hear her talk.
She was a good cook, and I still use her BBQ sauce recipe! I also learned how to peel tomatoes.
Marie visited me once in Denver. Then we drifted.
I found her about two years ago through her university son!
Marie and I talked about going to D.C. to visit the African American History Museum. She helped validate my communication with Pastor Davis, Calvary Baptist Church (SLC)
Then the communication stopped.
When Pastor Davis told me that she passed away, I felt "cheated". My Marie was gone...
May 12, 2018
I am saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Afesa Adams. She has always been a role model for women wherever she journeyed in life. The Women of Color Cultural Foundation, University of North Florida and Jacksonville Women's Network will miss her presence and wisdom. I will treasure fund memories of time spent with her in many community activities. My condolences and God's peace and comfort to her family.
Respectfully,
Helen D. Jackson, PhD
Carlos and Lina Monell
May 11, 2018
Our deepest condolences to the Adams Family on their sad loss. We met Dr. Adams as employees of the University of North Florida when she served as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences . She was always kind and friendly and always willing to support diversity initiatives at the University. We share in your loss. May God comfort you and give you peace.
Robyn Henry
May 11, 2018
So sorry to hear of Afesia's passing. My prayers are with you and the family at this time. I have very fond memories of her! She was always great to Shane
Warren A Jones
May 11, 2018
Our sincere condolences to the family upon the passing of your mother.May God continue to bless and comfort the family during your bereavement.
Dr. Barbara Darby
May 10, 2018
I extend heartfelt condolences to the family. Dr. Adams was much admired, respected and loved - one of a kind lady!
Dr. Barbara Darby
Jacksonville, FL
Bonnie McCullar
May 10, 2018
I send my deep condolences to the family of Dr. Adams for their great loss. She was my inspiring professor and spiritual mentor.
I am a white, 67 year old woman who had the pleasure of taking Dr. Adams' classes in the mid 1990's at the University of North Florida. Her class, Human Diversity and Intergroup Relationships was the most interesting and enlightening class of my lifetime. She was an extraordinary instructor and I was honored when she asked me to do individual study with her for a semester. I found her to be a wonderful person who dedicated her life to educating and promoting a broader understanding of racial diversity and the need for equality. She embodied grace, compassion, and humor.
I think of her often and place her name on my calendar each year on her February birthday. In 2017, I came across an old e-mail address for her. I thought it was worth trying and used it to send an e-mail birthday wish. I was thrilled that she responded and was happy to know she was in Utah, close to family and friends.
I will never forget her and the positive influence she has made in my life and many other lives.
Bonnie McCullar
Retired social worker
Orange Park, Florida
May 9, 2018
May the God of all comfort strengthen the family during this time of deep sorrow. Those who pass on, God keeps in his memory because they are precious in his eyes. My sincerest condolences. (Psalms 116:15)
May 9, 2018
My Condolences To The Family;
I'm so sorry for your great loss. May the God of all comfort be with you all during this difficult time.
May 9, 2018
"Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in Heaven, where the love of our lost one pours through and shines down upon us to let us know that they are truly happy.....
Eskimo Legend
Rose Maree Sazesh
May 9, 2018
Dear Steven, Bev, David and Afesa's loved ones,
Words cannot express how sad I am to hear of the loss of your beloved Afesa. I just heard about her passing, and I want to let you know that I am deeply sorry for your loss. Afesa was a good mother who set an excellent example for other individuals in the community.
I know how much you loved her, and I'm sure she appreciated all the time you were able to spend with her in her final days. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
A beautiful soul, full of love and faith, ascended to heaven, away from us, but closer to God, leaving loneliness and sadness.
May your heart always carry the beautiful memories of Afesa.
If there is anything I can do or if you need someone simply to listen, please don't hesitate to let me know what i can do.
"Death leaves heartache no one can heal. Love leaves a memory no one can steal....
Chuck Salazar
May 9, 2018
I met Dr. Adams, Anita Bell, when she worked with the Upward Bound program at Weber State. She taught me that if was okay to be normal, that being a Hispanic in Utah didn't mean that I had to be tough and bad all the time.
Her influence led mt on to college where I ran into her in my Freshman year. She was so excited that I opted for education.
A very positive influence on my life.
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