Hershel Adams

Hershel  Adams, 81, passed away on August, 9, 2024.  Hershel was born on July 12, 1943, in Montgomery, Alabama to Horace and Lucile Adams.  Hershel is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary Ann Adams of Niceville, Florida, son Brian, Oviedo, Florida and grandchildren Taylor and Levi; and two brothers James (Doris), Prattville, Alabama and Billy (Sharon), Woodstock, Georgia.  Hershel is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and their families.

While attending Samford University, Hershel felt called to become a pastor. After graduation he attended Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where he earned a Masters of Divinity and a Masters of Religious Education. He went on to earn a Doctor of Ministry from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

Hershel served as Minister of Education and Associate Pastor of First Baptist Church Mt. Airy, North Carolina and Azalea Baptist Church, St. Petersburg, Florida; Pastor for 8.5 years of First Baptist Church of Tarpon Springs Florida;  Associate Pastor of First Baptist Church of St. Petersburg, Florida for 3.5 years; Pastor for 15 years of First Baptist Church of Ft. Pierce, Florida; For fourteen years Director of Missions of Choctaw Baptist Association/Emerald Coast Fellowship of Baptist Churches, Ft. Walton Beach, Florida.

Other areas of service were the Florida Baptist Convention as Church Growth Specialist, Sunday School Special Worker, Conflict Resolution Consultant and as a Trustee of the Florida Baptist Historical Commission. Hershel served local Baptist Associations in Pinellas and St. Lucie Counties as Moderator, Sunday School Director and in various other capacities. He served as president of the Florida Baptist Alumni of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and as president of the Florida Baptist Fellowship of Directors of Missions. He Co-founded and served on the Board of Directors of Mustard Seed Ministries in St. Lucie County, Florida, and Give Me Shelter Ministries in Okaloosa County, Florida. Hershel founded and served on the Board of Directors of Crossroads Center Medical and Dental and Counseling Clinics in Okaloosa County, Florida.

Hershel was known for his humorous way of sharing God’s love with everyone that he encountered whether a stranger he just met, his golf buddies, professional colleagues, friends and his family. To know Hershel was to experience the loving and caring love of Jesus.

In lieu of Flowers the family requests memorial contributions be made to Crossroads Center Medical, Dental and Counseling Clinic, 444 Valparaiso Parkway, Valparaiso, Florida 32580 (850-389-3015) or Mission Dignity, Guidestone Financial Services, 2401 Cedar Springs Road., Dallas, Texas 75201-1489.

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