Community members, family, and friends are gathering to honor the life and legacy of Ernestine Goldman Adams, who passed away on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at the age of 87.
Born on Christmas Day in 1938, Adams was a longtime resident of the area whose memory will be celebrated during services scheduled for Friday, August 7, 2026, at Greater New Antioch Baptist Church.
Public visitation will be held Friday, August 7, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Greater New Antioch Baptist Church, 301 Sherrouse Avenue, Monroe. Wake services will begin at 6:00 p.m. Friday at the church. Arrangements are being coordinated through McFarland Funeral Companies.
Obituary
On December 25, 1939? A beautiful little girl named Ernestine Roberta was born to the union of Mr. Melvin and Mrs. Alice Goldman in Monroe, La. She received her early education in Monroe City Schools. She was a 1957 graduate from the Carroll High School. She attended Grambling State University and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education.
She accepted Christ at an early age at the St. James United Methodist Church. She married her childhood sweetheart Theadore Adams Sr. on March 15, and to this union were born two boys and two girls. She later was baptized and united with her husband at the Antioch Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor John L. Russell Sr. she served faithfully as Deaconess Junior Sunday School Teacher, Adult Choir Member, Youth Director, Christian Education Director. In March 1996, She along with her husband were an intricate part in the beginning and reality of the New Antioch Baptist Church. She was the 1st Sunday School Superintendent and took her assignment very seriously. Sunday School Staff Teacher’s Meeting was held in their home every Thursday night until a building was acquired. She continued to sing in the Adult Choir until her health failed. She served as a Deaconess and later as a Mother of the Church both under Pastor John L. Russell Sr. and now presently Pastor John L. Russell II.
She enjoyed traveling especially to the Gospel Music Workshop of America and the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education. She not only traveled but brought back to her church what she learned. She actually begin directing a few songs after taking the Choir Directing Class.
She served her church faithfully until death.
She was preceded in death by her parents Melvin & Alice Goldman, 1 sister Verdia Brigham, Daughter in law Clara Adams, Godson Anzell Calloway and niece Marlyn Brigham Cooper.
She leaves to cherish her memories: Four children: Theadore (Debra) Adams of Houston Tx, Frank Dewayne Adams of Dallas Texas, Alicia Tramble (James) of Monroe La and Angela (Alfred) Henderson of Dallas Texas; 1 special brother/nephew Melvin Goldman; 1 special great niece: Marilyn Goldman; 2 Brothers: Marvin Coates of Desoto, Texas, Johensen Coates of Arlington Texas; 3 God Children: Joe Lee Rogers, Vincent Blanson and Rev. Ernest Holland; Nephews: Alvin Goldman Sr., Major Goldman both of Beaumont, Tx.; Niece: Linda Faye Washington Lusk: Houston Tx.
She also leaves 11 Grandchildren: Alicia D. Adams of Dallas Texas, Kayla R. Calhoun (Jalen) of Houston, Texas, Terrance Tramble (April), J. Jeremiah Tramble (Ambria) of Sterlington, La., James McHenry of Bossier City, La., Frank Adams, Irimita Dean, Tangela Dean, LaToya Blackburn (Cody), Angelica Richards and Allyah Henderson; 27 great Grandchildren; 3 great great grandchildren; Special Friends: Geraldine Williams, Shirley Conley and Maxine Tatum; and many others family and friends.
