"May The Life I've Lived, Speak For Me"

"This is His Story"

Twas the night before Christmas on December 24, 1975, at 3:43 A.M. in Little Rock, AR William Mack Adams, and Glodine E. White received a special gift from God, it was the birth of their son, Maurice Lamont Adams.  Everyone knew that he would be a special child from birth and special he proved to be. He was always busy as a baby and that trait carried over to his adult life. "Reesy", as he was known, was a very spontaneous person. He was one that was gifted, talented, charismatic, energetic, vibrant, flamboyant, in the sense that he tended to attract attention because of his exuberance, confidence, and stylishness and he was full of life.

Maurice attended the Hot Springs School System.  He was a well-loved student and a friend to many.  He loved playing in the Trojan Band.  He made history when he became the first African American to become a drum major.  Not only was he the Drum Major, on January 23, 1993, the Hot Springs community was tuned into the television to watch the Hot Springs High Trojan Band as they marched down Pennsylvania Avenue to play in the Inaugural Parade honoring then, President William Clinton, an alumnus of Hot Springs High School. Who was out front leading the band adorned in all white from head to toe showing all thirty-twos, you guessed it, Drum Major Maurice Lamont Adams. He was a graduate of Hot Springs High Class of 1994. While in High School he sang in the choir as well as other activities. Maurice joined the United States Marine Corps where he received an honorable medical discharge in 1995. He attended the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff where in sang in the Vesper Choir,  and the Gospel Choir, South Arkansas Community College in El Dorado, AR and the University of Arkansas Community College of Hope in Hope, AR.

Maurice showed love for people, music and most of all a love for God at an early age.  He would start his music career by taking music lessons from Dr. Janice V. McCoy. He was the youngest student she ever taught, and one of her first beginning at the age of six.  He would go on to play for St. Thomas Baptist Church under the leadership of the late, Rev. W.J. Thomas.  At the age of eleven, he began playing for Rev. Billy R. Wilson and the Greenwood Baptist Church for three years.  He had a special love for Pastor Wilson and his then-wife, the late Barbara Wilson.  He later became a member and began playing for Union Baptist Church at the age of fifteen under the leadership of the late, Rev. Douglas E. Jones. He was given the name of "Sweet Spirit", by the Union Baptist Church Family.  The Jones family was his second family.  They took him under their wings as if he was one of their own. Through the good and the bad, he would always show them respect.  One could be safe to say, that there are not many churches in the city of Hot Springs and the surrounding areas that he didn't play for or direct for.  He was a well-known director in the Southwest District Youth Department.  As time moved on his music and directing abilities afforded him the opportunity to play for churches of all denominations, and ethnicity. Because of his style of directing he could make any choir sing and project like none other. He traveled to all four corners of Arkansas, Memphis, TN, and St. Louis, MO.    After his adventure away from Hot Springs, he returned to his home church, St. Mark Baptist Church.  He became a member of St. Mark at an early age under the leadership of the late, Rev. A. L. Nicholas.  He served under the leadership of Pastor Tommie L. Howard and the present pastor, Rev. Donald R. Crossley, Sr. It was under the leadership of Pastor Howard that he accepted his call to preach the word of God.  On, Sunday, April 23, 1995, he delivered his initial sermon at the Union Baptist Church under the direction of Pastor Howard and St. Mark. Maurice was one that his gift always made room for him.  In 1994, during the National Baptist Congress in Houston, TX he led devotion in the Youth Rally in front of the National Baptist Parent Body of more than 15,000 delegates. He made it a point to acknowledge his leaders Pastor Douglas E. and Gladys M. Jones.  In 2006, Maurice hosted a celebration not only to honor him but to make sure others that had shown him love would receive recognition. He was a mentor to many upcoming directors and musicians.

His parents knew that Maurice was not one for hard work and that he was a fashionable child.  At the age of two, he was dressed in his pure white suit as his parents were working on a car.  He attempted to help them and soiled his white suit.  They knew then what he would be as time went on. He will be remembered for his style of dressing and didn't care if you liked it or not, he had his own style. Maurice was known for his designs of unique floral arrangements and clothes.  He was the CEO and Executive Director of "Diamond Designs." He has been featured in many fashion shows, newspapers, and magazines for his outstanding work.  Maurice never missed an opportunity to make someone shine, be it with a floral design, a fashionable hat or a bling outfit, Maurice Adams was your guy!  He was willing and capable of decorating the church sanctuary for special occasions, weddings, your home or whatever the need.

Maurice fought his illness with courage, hope and the same engery as he did life itself.  He was never one to set idle and ask for pity, he keep moving and keep the faith. On, Monday morning, October 28, 2019, around the same hour as he was born, the Lord saw that he was getting tired and whispered in his ear for his servant to come home.  Just moments before his leaving his devoted mother and a dear friend of his  was at his side as he whispered, "Thank You and I Love You."

Those completing the journey before him include his maternal grandparents and great grandparents, Ivery and Betty White, Sr., Ivery White, Jr.; paternal grandparents, James, and Rosa Adams; uncle, James Adams; his cousins, Joshua White, Jeremy Duvall, Jason Moon, and Richard Anderson.

Those left to remember his smile and jubilant style is his loving and devoted mother, Glodine E. White; his father, William Mack Adams; his grandmother whom he loved to the moon and back, Estaleen "Red" White; loving and caring aunts and uncles, Ivery White, Dennis (Mary Ann) White, Robert Lee (Jo) White, Hebert (Angela) White, Bettie Lou Wilson, Ann M. White, Frankie (Patricia) White, Margie Anderson and Charles Adams; a host of loving cousins and extended family and friends that span across the world.

Funeral service will be 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, November 2, 2019, at St. Mark Baptist Church, Hot Springs, AR. Burial will follow in Crestview Cemetery.  Visitation will be held on Friday from 5:00-7:00 P.M. at the church.  The guest registry is at http://www.carriganmemorial.com .

Arrangements are entrusted to Carrigan Memorial Funeral Services.

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