Alda Adams

Alda Virginia Thompson Adams, was born in Greenville, South Carolina, on September 5, 1918, to the late Pickens Arthur Thompson and Hattie Maria Mansell Thompson. She was married to Paul Adams, a Greenville native, and to this union three children were born: Gloria, Doris, and Michael.

At a young age, Alda accepted Christ at Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, Greenville. After graduating from Sterling High School, she completed business school in Orangeburg, South Carolina.

Alda and Paul were married in 1946. Shortly thereafter, Paul enlisted in the Army Air Corps and flew as one of the Tuskegee Airmen, after which he continued in the service as a career officer in the Air Force. Theirs was an exciting Air Force life. She traveled with her husband, and later, the children, to various assignments in Hawaii, Colorado, South Dakota, Goose Bay, Labrador, Washington, DC, Chicopee, Massachusetts and Lincoln, Nebraska.

When PauI was stationed at Lincoln Air Force Base, Alda worked for the Lincoln Gas Company, retiring in 1983. She served in the Missionary Society of Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church and was an Eastern Star. She was a former Board member of the Capital Business and Professional Women, National Council of Negro Women, Women In Community Service and Malone Community Center, and was a founding Board member of youth organizations Les Cheres Amies and Destinares.

Alda enjoyed bowling, aerobic swimming, and gardening. A highlight for many years was traveling to Tuskegee Airmen conventions in different cities with family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul; parents; and two sisters, Mrs. Annie Laura Thompson (Ansel) Dacus and Mrs. Vera Thompson (George) James.

Alda is survived by her children, Gloria (Sandy) Middlebrooks of Boston, MA, Doris (Dr. David) Gearring of Sturgis, MI and Dr. Michael (Dr. Sondra Braggs) Adams of Oklahoma City, OK; grand-children, Khari Middlebrooks of Newark, CA, David Gearring, Jr. of Seattle, WA, Dr. Michael (Darla) Adams II of Las Vegas, NV, and William Gearring of Grand Rapids, MI; great-grandchild, Madilyn Middlebrooks of San Pablo, CA; nephews, Arne Dacus of Greenville, SC, Melvin Adams (retired Army) of El Paso, TX; nieces, Ruth Adams, Margaret Adams, both of Orangeburg, SC, Dr. Elaine (Clinton, retired Army) Fields of Charleston, SC; niece-in-law, Geraldine Dacus (David, retired Army) Reid of Lafayette, LA and a host of great-nieces and nephews.