Deacon Tom B. Adams

Mr. Tom Burnett Adams (better known as Deacon Adams), 95, of Grandview, Missouri, passed from earth to his heavenly home on July 2, 2026, at Research Medical Center. He was born June 19, 1931, in Coahoma, Mississippi, to Mr. and Mrs. Elijah and Julia H. Adams. He was the fifth of seven children born to this union. Tom accepted Christ at an early age at St. John Baptist Church in Coahoma, Mississippi. He was an ordained deacon most of his adult life. He was a former member of Greater Holy Temple Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Bishop C. N. Rucker. For the last several years, Tom was a member of Greater Works Family Worship Center under the leadership of his son, Bishop Travis C. Shockley. Tom graduated from Hull Jr. High School in Coahoma, Mississippi. After graduation, he joined the United States Army. After he was honorably discharged from the Army, Tom worked for Allis-Chalmers for several years before retiring. Tom loved God, his church, and people in general. He was a fervent student of the word of God. He loved to share his faith with anyone who would listen. He knew no strangers. Tom loved his family, friends, and hobbies. He loved basketball and fishing. During the March Madness season, Tom and his brothers would go to the NAIA collegiate basketball games together at Municipal Auditorium. They would go to as many basketball games during the tournament as they could and stay the whole day. Tom also loved fishing and going out to lunch with his brothers. The brothers especially loved going to their sister Amanda’s house for some good old-fashioned cooking. Even though all of the siblings were great cooks. The siblings were very close and enjoyed being together. Tom also enjoyed being with Dorothy. You would always see them together with family, at church, or helping deliver homemade cookies to people. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Elijah (Julia) Adams; his siblings, Elijah Adams, Jr., Amanda B. Adams, William Adams, Sr., Moses Adams, Coddy Adams, and Sam (Betty) Adams; one son, Timothy (Regina) Shockley, Sr. He leaves to cherish his memory, his devoted wife of 52 years, Dorothy Mae Adams of Grandview, MO; one daughter, Monica Adams of Kansas City, MO; three sons, Jason (Renee’) Adams of Milwaukee, WI; Michael Adams of Kansas City, MO; Travis C. (Lisa) Shockley of Kansas City, MO; and a host of brothers- and sisters-in-law, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who will forever cherish his memory and miss him dearly. Funeral services Saturday, July 11, 2026 at 1:00pm at Greater Works Family Worship Center. Interment Longview Cemetery. Visitation Saturday 12:00pm -1:00pm at the church. Arrangements entrusted to Lawrence A. Jones Funeral Homes & Cremation. Condolences may be shared on our website.

Deacon Tom B. Adams

June 19, 1931 - July 2, 2026