Rev. Gladys Denson Adams, 91, of Memphis, TN died Friday, January 16, 2015 at Baptist East Hospice after a valiant fight from a long illness. Mrs. Adams was born in Duncan, Oklahoma on February 1, 1923 to evangelist Rev. J.J. and Mattie Denson. She moved to Memphis as a child where her parents ran "The Poplar Street Mission." She is survived by 2 daughters, Toni Collins (Roy) of Bolivar, TN; Gale Andrews of Byhalia, MS; and one son, John P. Adams (Marie) of Memphis; her sister, Deloris Clark (John) of Bartlett, TN; two brothers, Jimmy Benson of Ridgely, TN and Lowell "Spike" (Davonna) Denson of Atoka, TN; 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Rev. Abel P. Adams and two sons, Dale Adams and Patrick Adams; three brothers, Quentin Denson, Delmar Denson, and Lee Denson; and three sisters, Juanita Moore, Gloria Reed and Virginia Fay Howard. Following her graduation as an honors student from Memphis Tech High School in 1942, Mrs. Adams joined the war effort and worked in Newport News, VA where she met and married her husband who was enlisted in the Navy. After the War, both Mrs. Adams and her husband attended Southwestern Bible Institute in Waxahachie, TX to prepare for the ministry. Mr. and Mrs. Adams pastored several churches with their young family across the Southeast. Mrs. Adams also served as General Overseer of the denomination founded by her father, The Church of God at Memphis while her husband also worked as an ironworker and welding teacher in the Memphis City Schools. Mrs. Adams was an avid reader, enjoyed politics and was active in many community causes in Memphis. She was known as a fierce defender of liberty and constitutional rights. Most of all, she wanted to spread the gospel and never wasted an opportunity to minister and help people. She was a loving grandmother and will be missed by all of the family and friends. Visitation will be 3-5 p.m., Sunday, January 18, 2015 at Forest Hill East Funeral Home. Services will be at 10 a.m., Monday, January 19, 2015 at the Chapel at Forest Hill East Funeral Home. Interment will be in Forest Hill East Cemetery.

Forest Hill Funeral Home
901-382-1000