Mr. Robert L. McAdams

Robert Lewis McAdams, born August 25, 1927, in Durham, North Carolina, departed this life peacefully on September 19, 2022, and entered into eternal rest. Robert was the youngest son of the late Silas Samuel McAdams, Sr., and Cora Fuller McAdams, who also preceded him in death. Robert was raised by hardworking and loving parents who instilled strong work ethic, an unwavering spiritual foundation, personal responsibility, and respect. At an early age, Robert joined the (Old) St. Joseph’s AME Church and remained a member until his death. Robert graduated from Hillside High School, Durham, NC in 1944 and then attended North Carolina College at Durham (now North Carolina Central University [NCCU]) in Durham, NC where he received both his Bachelor (1949) and Master (1957) of Science in Commerce degrees. While enrolled at NC College at Durham he was a member of the football team (1945), college choir (1944-1946), college concert band (1946), Commerce Club (1947), and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. (1948). He received the Dean’s Award for his service to the NCCU School of Business, and in 1999 Robert received his Golden Eagles Award. Robert was enlisted in the US Army and received an Honorable Discharge in 1947. He taught numerous business courses at Tuskegee Institute (University). He was employed at NCCU for many years serving as Assistant Dean of Men, Dean of Men and Assistant Director of Financial Aid, and later he joined the faculty as an Instructor in the School of Business. Robert was married to Dorothy (Gladys) Hammonds until her death and later married Mary Anne Dasher who also preceded him in death. Robert was a loving and caring husband. He also was a caring and dedicated uncle, great uncle, and great-great uncle. It always put a special smile on his face when you mentioned his nieces and nephews. Having committed his life to Jesus Christ as a child, Robert was a faithful servant saint in the church for as long as his health allowed him to attend church. He really loved attending Sunday School and received special recognition in the Berean Bible Class. He sang tenor in the Senior Choir and was a Senior Steward Board member. Mr. McAdams was a parliamentarian that believed in organizational structure and protocol. He could quote The AME Doctrine and Discipline and the year of the General Conference that ratified changes. Robert attended numerous AME Connectional District Conferences and area meetings to include the 50th Session of the General Conferences in 2016, the Quadrennial Conventions, Biannual Sessions of the Connectional Lay Organization Conventions (delegate), and Second Episcopal District (delegate). Mr. McAdams traveled with his beloved wife, Mary Anne Dasher, to many of these events while enjoying her homemade pound cake. Over the years, Robert’s civic activities included lifetime membership in Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. for over 50 years, serving as the Polemarch and Keeper of the Exchequer, and several other roles. He was very supportive of the chapter’s Black and White Ball and was an active member in the National Kappa Chorus. During his 95th birthday celebration he was happy to sing the Kappa song with several brothers that stopped by to sing with him. Robert was also a lifetime member of the NAACP, NCCU Alumni Association, and Sertoma Club. Robert was preceded in death by his siblings – Fidelia, Christine, Silas Jr., Cora, Hattie, and Ernest Sr.; nieces – Ann Autry, Lois Autry, Brenda B. Lovely, Gloria W. Graves; and nephew - Harris Johnson, Jr. He leaves to cherish his memory four nieces: Sylvia (Willie) Alford, Durham, NC; Claudette McCallum, Philadelphia, PA; Earscell (Jerome) Tate, Opelika, AL; Doris Stokes, Cincinnati, OH; three nephews: Ernest “Mike” (Renetta) McAdams, Jr., Cincinnati, OH; Jerry Giles, Cleveland, OH; Joseph (Belinda) Autry, Fayetteville, NC; four great nieces: Brenda Lovely, Durham, NC; Christa Connors, Cincinnati, OH; Jeannie Wilder, Durham, NC; Courtnie Tate, Opelika, AL; two great nephews: Ross McAdams Tate, Opelika, AL and Xavier McKnight, Opelika, AL; one great-great niece: Glameria Taylor, Durham, NC; three great-great nephews: DaMountta Hasty, Durham, NC; Kadrick Tate-Crim and Korbin Tate-Crim, Opelika, AL and numerous cousins, friends, extended family members, dedicated caregivers (Elsie Brandon, Marie Hunter, Lois J. Pettiford) and the entire St. Joseph’s AME Church family. Services to celebrate the life of Mr. Robert L. McAdams will take place on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, at St. Joseph AME Church, 2521 Fayetteville Street, Durham, North Carolina 27707; Family Visitation 11:00 a.m., Celebration of Life Service 12:00 p.m. Interment will take place at Glennview Memorial Park.

Mr. Robert L. McAdams

August 25, 1927 - September 19, 2022