"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes: and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."  Rev 21:4

Heaven became even sweeter on Wednesday, Jan 6, 2021.  Not only is Nelson perfectly whole, completely cancer free, and happier than he's ever been before, but he is in the presence of our Savior!  The One who had given daily grace and strength in his fight against cancer these past 7 years welcomed him home.

Nelson Marion Adams was born June 2, 1955 in Bennettsville, SC, to Joe and Isabel Adams.  He and his sister Alice Marie grew up in a very close-knit community with family and friends that had been together for generations.  Time with his cousins and friends Frank and Hampton has always been treasured.

Nelson's education included high school at Marlboro Academy, undergraduate at the University of South Carolina and Coastal Carolina University, and graduate school at San Diego State University.  He loved and played all sports, but he especially loved college football.  Go Aztecs!

Nelson's faith was the most important thing to him.  He accepted Jesus as his personal Savior while a freshman at USC through the ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ.  He daily lived out his faith.  He loved to read and study the Bible.

Nelson moved to Florida in 1988.  He and Suzanna met at a Bible study at their church and were married in 1992.  Nelson was blessed with 4 children – Daniel, David, Joanna, and Christin.  Nelson loved being a dad.  Family was very important to him.  His favorite thing to do was anything together.  He especially enjoyed staying active and healthy.  Whether the activity was being outside at the park, playing ball together, hiking, going to the beach, working hard on a project, studying, playing games, or helping at church, Nelson and his family were a great team.

Nelson's background in math and business led him to teaching in 2002.  He was a math teacher at Clermont Middle School from 2004 until his medical retirement in 2016.  He enjoyed working with the administration and faculty there, but he especially loved encouraging the students one on one in math and life.

In March 2014, Nelson was diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma.  It was especially a surprise to someone so active and healthy as he was.  Nelson gave this battle everything he had.  He went through extensive chemo, radiation, 2 bone marrow transplants, the CAR-T, and more.  Not one word of complaint ever crossed his lips.  His dear sister Ree always said he was the bravest person she had ever met.  Every chance he got, Nelson used his cancer story to share Jesus with anyone he met.  He would always give God the glory.  Special thanks go to Dr. Julio Chavez and Natasha Johnson, ARNP, at Moffitt Cancer Center.  Monthly trips there made us dear friends.  Also our extreme gratitude goes to Florian Dittert of Munich, Germany.  He was the cell donor for Nelson's second bone marrow transplant in 2016.  His selfless gift gave us 4 more wonderful years together during which Nelson got to be there for graduations, weddings, and the birth of his grandchildren.  Nelson was cancer free 2017 – July 2020 when the lymphoma was found in his brain and spinal fluid.  These last months were a great challenge, but God gave us more precious time together than ever expected.  It was the family's privilege to care for Nelson.

Nelson left a legacy of kindness, love, contentment, and strong faith.  He will be deeply missed, but our hearts are so happy he is fully healed and with his Savior in heaven.  It takes a great deal of courage to face the end of one's life.  Nelson was fearless because of the assurance that eternal life was his through the gift of Jesus Christ his Savior.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."  Ephesians 2:8-9

Nelson is survived by his wife Suzanna; his children Daniel & Laura Adams of Raleigh, NC; David & Abbie Adams of Lancaster, CA; Joanna Adams of Clermont; Christin Adams of Clermont; and his grandchildren Elliot, Hudson, and Rebekah of Raleigh.  He is also survived by his sister Marie (Lewis) Miller of Spartanburg, SC, and his mother-in-law Patty Allen of Oakland, FL.  Nelson is blessed to have a dear extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins, and brothers-in-law that all greatly love him.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to West Coast Baptist College for a scholarship fund being set up in Nelson Adams' name to assist students who have a parent who is very ill or passes away during the school year. donate.wcbc.edu or mail to 4010 E Lancaster Blvd  Lancaster, CA 93535