Carl Merton Adair

"Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?" Proverbs 20:6 All who knew and loved Carl Merton Adair would testify to one thing: he was truly a faithful man. His faithfulness extended to the Lord first, then to his family, his church family, his many, many friends, and his community. He was often heard saying, in his reverent "preacher" voice, "We must remember what is most important: God first, then family and friends." On Tuesday, January 20, 2015, the Lord chose to take our faithful Carl home, at the age of 80, after a brief illness and hospitalization. Carl was a faithful man in life until the day of his death. Faithful in Life On January 23, 1934, God saw fit to bring Carl into the world, the third-born child of Eddie Adair, Sr. and Seretta Savage Adair. He was born in the small town of Hare Valley, Northampton County, Virginia. As a child, he loved to play outdoors and especially enjoyed baseball and playing with the family's cats and dogs. t: Carl grew up in his home church of New Allen Memorial AME Church in Franktown, Virginia, along with his four brothers and three sisters. He gave his life to the Lord and was baptized at a young age, and often described a pivotal spiritual experience with God on the "mourners' bench" at New Allen Memorial. Those formative years were just the beginning of a life dedicated to God's work. Faithful to Education Dedicated to education, Carl's initial schooling began in his Virginia hometown, and he attended Northampton County High School. He earned several degrees: an Associates degree from the Norfolk Division of Virginia State College, a Bachelor's from Virginia State University and a Master's of Education from Coppin State College. He also received two honorary doctorates from Morris College and from Monrovia College in Liberia, West Africa, where his family accompanied him to receive this prestigious honor. An avid athlete, Carl played football through high school and much of his college career. In 1953, he made the All-Conference football team at the Norfolk Division of Virginia State College. He carried his lifelong love of sports until the end, and was perhaps the most faithful fan of the Baltimore Ravens and the Baltimore Orioles. Faithful to Family Carl met the love of his life, the former Merlene Elmira Day, at a school dance at Virginia State University. Some might call it love at first sight. Following Merlene's graduation, the college sweethearts married on July 6, 1957 in her hometown of Heathsville, Virginia. Soon after their wedding day, they relocated to Baltimore, Maryland, where they began creating a family. From this union of love they welcomed three daughters, Lori, Sherri and Carla. Carl was an attentive and nurturing father, and treasured his three "Daddy's Girls". He enjoyed family road trips to his and Merlene's hometowns, to his beloved Virginia State for annual homecoming games and celebrations, and to various church trips and conferences. He also loved family meals, discussing current events and politics around the table with Merlene and the girls, followed by his favorite sitcoms with the family. Faithful to Service. Carl served in the United States Army for three years, served several more years in active and inactive Reserves duty and received an honorable discharge at the ranking of sergeant. He also served others through various vocations throughout his lifetime. He began his career as an educator in the Baltimore City Public School System, and later became a dean, department chairperson and professor at Coppin State College. In 1963 he began his life as a well-known business owner, and over the next three decades enjoyed ownership of five different locations of Adair's Amoco Gas Station and Adair's Auto Garage. After retiring from business ownership, he reentered the Baltimore City School System as a seasoned educator. Faithful to God Carl continued in his service to the Lord throughout his lifetime. He and Merlene joined Douglas Memorial Community Church in 1959 and have attended faithfully for 56 years. He is the only member of Douglas to have served as Chairperson of the Board of Trustees and Chairperson of the Board of Stewards. He loved his "Douglas Church" and enjoyed sitting on the very first pew with Merlene every I Sunday. He most enjoyed those Negro spirituals and stirring sermons that have always set Douglas apart. Faithful to Community Carl served his community through various organizations and associations. He was a Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and loved his Kappa brothers, or "Nupes", as he affectionately called them. He was also a member of the Virginia State Alumni Association, the Coppin State College Alumni Association, the Prince Hall Masons, Lodge #25 and was a Life Member of the NAACP. He was also a proud member of the Republican Political Party and a former member of the Republi- can State Central Committee for Baltimore City and the Baltimore City Board of Elections. Even though he lived in a largely Democratic city, he ran for public office three times - for Mayor of Balti more, the Baltimore City Council's 5th District and the House of Delegates' 41st District. Over his lifetime, he received multiple awards and recognitions, a few of which included Delegate for the Republican National Convention, a Distinguished Church Leadership Award from the Fullwood Foundation, Inc. and Alumnus of the Year from Virginia State University. Faithful until the End Carl was faithful to his family members and his many friends, one of his favorite pastimes being the dozens of phone calls he would place each day. For many of his relatives and friends, the day wasn't complete without a call from Carl. On the other hand, he was the one to call whenever a need arose. Carl was a loving, giving soul, always available to give a hand. He was also steadfast in his love for Merlene, and during her recent illness, he remained by her side as long as his health would allow. At night, he would sleep beside her hospital bed, faithful until the end. He leaves to cherish his life and legacy: his wife Merlene Day Adair, three daughters Lori Chambers, Sherri Adair and Carla Adair Hendricks, two sons-in-law Ralph Chambers and Anthony Hendricks, eight grandchildren, one grandson-inIaw, three brothers Verdell Adair, Quincy Adair, Alvis Adair, one sister Joyce Adair, one brother-In-law Robert (Gene) Day, three sisters-in-law Catherine Flythe, Mary Day and Dorothy Adair, and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

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Carl Merton Adair

January 23, 1934 - January 20, 2015