Gloria Fortson Adams

Gloria Fortson Adams died peacefully in her home on October 28, 2026. She was predeceased by her husband of 65 years, Jesse Carl Adams and an infant son, Andrew Carlton. She is survived by her daughters, Karen Ozaki (Roger) and Denise Burcham (Marc); grandchildren, Dan Ozaki (Val), Mark Ozaki, Karen Summer, Matthew Burcham (Rene), Hana Ozaki, and John Burcham; greatgrandchildren, Jim, Lucas, Gabe, Olivia, Noelle, and Miko; she is also survived by her beloved sister, Paula Forston Anderer (Al) and several nieces and nephews.

Gloria was born in Daytona Beach, Florida to Lida Pitts Fortson and John Paul Fortson. She grew up in Atlanta and attended Girls High School. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Mercer University, was a member of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, and named Outstanding Psychology Student. She then earned a Master of Social Work Degree from The University of Georgia. She was licensed by the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists. Much of her work was through Families First, a United Way agency.

One of her many interests was music and the support of music education, through service with The Georgia Music Teachers Association and the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra. Her deep faith in Jesus Christ led her into multiple leadership roles in her church, including teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir, leading prayer groups, and holding positions on various committees. She served as Chair of the Board of Deacons at Briarcliff Baptist Church, as a Trustee of the King's Bridge Retirement Community, and volunteered her secretarial work for Dr. Cecil Sherman in the founding days of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Gloria and Carl enjoyed many years of making friends while traveling around the country and abroad. Her greatest joy was being a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and sister.