Merlene E. Adair

"Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies." Proverbs 31:10 Proverbs 31 speaks of the virtuous woman, a woman who lives valiantly, with moral and ethical excellence. Proverbs 31 speaks of our beloved Merlene Elmira Day Adair. On Tuesday, February 10, 2015, after a challenging illness and hospitalization, Merlene, at the age of 78, went to be with the Lord. Throughout her vibrant life, Merlene was known as a virtuous woman - in her home, her church, her career and her community. "Many daughters have done virtuously, but you excel them all." Vs. 29 On August 23, 1936, Merlene made her entrance into the world, joining the Day family as the precious baby girl. She was born in Heathsville, Northumberland County, Virginia, the sixth-born child of the late James Day and Elmira Conaway Day. As a young girl, she was a Daddy's Girl, and loved and admired her older siblings Alvin, James, Catherine, Laverne, and Eloise, while "mothering" her baby brother Robert, affectionately known as Gene. Gene has fond memories of walking with his big sister down the dusty roads of Heathsville to her piano lessons. "Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that fears the LORD, she shall be praised." Vs. 30 Merlene's faith in Christ began at an early age, and that faith was nurtured at First Baptist Church in Heathsville, the family church that her Great-grandfather, the Reverend Daniel Payne, founded. During her youth, Merlene directed First Baptist's Youth Choir, played piano for the choir and attended Sunday School. She was also a member of the Northern Neck Baptist Training Union and was a Northern Neck Youth Missionary. "...With the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard." Vs. 16 The seeds of educational excellence were planted in Merlene early in life. She began her education at Howland Graded School in Heathsville, the first school to educate African American children in Northumberland County. A diligent student, she also attended Julius Rosenwald High School in Northumberland County and Virginia State College in Petersburg Virginia, where she prepared for a career in education and also met her soul-mate, Carl Merton Adair. "The heart of her husband does safely trust in her, so that he shall have no lack of gain." Vs. 11 Merlene and Carl met at a school dance at Virginia State, and he quickly boasted to his brother and friends about the pretty girl he'd met on campus. Her effortless beauty and timeless sense of fashion most certainly caught Carl's eye, and he'd often speak of her loveliness in the many years to come. After Merlene's graduation, the college sweethearts married on July 6, 1957 in her hometown. After their nuptials, the newlyweds followed Merlene's older siblings to the "big city" of Baltimore, Maryland to pursue their respective careers. "She looks well to the ways of her household, and eats not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her." Vs.27, 28 A few years into their marriage, God sprinkled Carl and Merlene's home with a little "sugar and spice and everything nice" - three little girls that joined the family one-by-one. Merlene diligently raised her daughters Lori, Sherri and Carla, and managed her household with meticulous care. She even sacrificed several years of her career to commit to raising her girls full-time. As a Momma, she encouraged her daughters to remain committed to the church, excel in their studies, nur- ture a passion for the arts and pursue great dreams. "She opens her mouth with wisdom; and on her tongue is the law of kindness." Vs. 26 Merlene never lost her love for serving the Lord through His church. In 1959 she joined Douglas Memorial Community Church hand-in-hand with Carl, and attended faithfully for 56 years. Over the years, she served as a member of the Chancel Choir, "the friends" women's group and the Women's Christian Fellowship. A faithful advocate to the pastor and ministers of Douglas, she took the helm of Chair of the Board of Stewards in 2009 and served loyally until the very day of her passing. Whenever her leaders called upon her to share a word, her Douglas family marveled to watch her stride from that front-row pew to the pulpit to deliver a prayer or proclamation. When Merlene spoke, we all listened, as God had appointed her as a genuine leader."She seeks wool, and flax, and works willingly with her hands." Vs. 13 Merlene enjoyed an esteemed career in education that spanned four decades. She began teaching in the Baltimore City School system as a Business Education teacher at Southern High School and Northwestern High School. Having earned a Master's Degree in Education from Coppin State College, she soared through the ranks of Adjunct Professor, Assistant Professor, Program Coordinator, Department Chairperson and to her last post as Dean of the Business and Technology Division at Baltimore City Community College (BCCC), the former Community College of Baltimore. Dean Adair left a beautiful legacy at BCCC until her retirement in July 2007, consistently elevating her Business and Tech- nology Division to higher heights. In 1994, she was instrumental in attaining national accreditation with the Association of Collegiate Business School and Programs, distinguishing her program as the first two-year Business program to become nationally accredited in the State of Maryland. "She stretches out her hand to the poor; yea, she reaches forth her hands to the needy. " Vs. 20 Perhaps Merlene's brightest star at BCCC shines as the founder and ten-year Chairperson of the annual Scholarship Breakfast. The funds garnered through this effort provided thousands of scholarship dollars to BCCC students for many( years. Yet her servant-leadership extended beyond her workplace, her compassionate heart moving her to sit beside a family member or friend suffering with illness, death of a loved one or an overwhelming need. With nary a thought, she would step forward, with empathy and grace, to provide physical care, resources and love to any soul who needed her. Merlene's benevolence, likewise, drove her vast community involvement. She was a life member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and led her Alpha Zeta Chapter as Basileus from 1987 to 1992. Appointed by former Mayor Sheila Dixon in 2006 as a commissioner with the Baltimore City Commission on Aging and Retirement Education and the Myrtle Tyler Faithful Fund, Inc., she served ten years as the co-director of the Foundation's and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority's "Zeta Center For Healthy and Active Aging", which opened in 2009. Merlene held membership and served in leadership positions in many other community and service organizations: the Bal- timore Metropolitan Chapter of the Coalition of 100 Black Women; the Baltimore County Chapter of Pierians, Inc.; the Balti- more Chapter of the Virginia State University Alumni Association; the Baltimore Chapter of the Carats, Inc.; the Baltimore Chapter of the Silhouettes of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; the African American Steering Committee of the Walters Art Museum; the Community Outreach Committee of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra; the Baltimore Chapter of the First Baptist Church of Virginia Building Fund and the NAACP as a life member. "Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates." Vs. 31 Merlene's walls are covered with recognition she received throughout her lifetime. A sampling of her numerous awards: BCCC's Excellence in Leadership Award, the Harlow Fullwood, Jr. Service Above Self Award, Walter Art Gallery's recogni- tion of her devotion and outstanding service as trustee, the Douglas Memorial Community Church Award of Appreciation and Service and several Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Awards, including 1993 Zeta ofthe Year. Even with this illustrious list of accomplishments, Merlene's impact on her family, friends, church and community could not be fully capsulized in this small tribute. She has left a legacy of love, care, passion and dignity that will never be forgotten. Her bond of love with Carl, which endured 57 years, will live on in our hearts forever. Just weeks before Carl's passing, he smiled at a picture of Merlene reclined in her hospital bed, and said, "Pretty as a peach." With mutual feelings for him, Merlene promptly followed him to heaven, exactly three weeks after his passing on January 20, 2015. They just could not live without one another. She leaves to honor her life and legacy: her three daughters Lori Chambers, Sherri Adair and Carla Adair Hendricks; two sons-in-law Ralph Chambers and Anthony Hendricks, eight grandchildren; one grand-son-in-Iaw; one sister Catherine Har- ris Flythe; one brother Robert (Gene) Day; two sisters-in-law Mary Day and Dorothy Adair; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Tributes

Merlene E. Adair

August 23, 1936 - February 10, 2015