Mrs. Gladys Adell Williams-Ferrell

A time to be born... On November 9, 1936, Gladys Adell was born to the late Willie Preston and Willie Anna Williams. Affectionately known as "Adell" by her family, she was the youngest of four children. She was raised in Boydton, Virginia, on the family farm, where love, faith, and hard work shaped daily life. The family tended vast acreage of fruit orchards and cultivated tobacco, peanuts, and cotton, instilling in Adell strong values and a deep appreciation for perseverance. Adell was baptized at an early age and became a devoted member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church. Attending church alongside her siblings and her beloved Grandpa Robert was a cherished family tradition filled with joy and fellowship. She received her education through the Mecklenburg County School System and, like many children of her era, walked several miles each day with family members and neighborhood children to the segregated Easter School. Adell remained in Boydton through her early adulthood before briefly relocating to North Carolina, where she lived near her sister Emma. A time of love In the 1950s, Adell left North Carolina and relocated to Baltimore, Maryland. Like many during that era, she journeyed north in search for greater opportunities- a transition made possible through the loving support of her Aunt Marie Williams-Wilson. It was in Baltimore that Adell met and married the love of her life, the late Charles Edward Ferrell. Together, they shared a beautiful and devoted marriage, opening their home with warmth and generosity to family and friends while lovingly raising their sons. A time to live Throughout much of her marriage, Adell was a devoted stay-at-home mother, ensuring her family was well cared for and never lacked what they needed. She proudly accompanied her husband Charles and their sons on many trips south to visit her parents, sisters, and extended family. In later years, these journeys expanded into extensive travels as she supported her son while he played basketball at both the collegiate and NBA levels. Adell often spoke fondly of her travels, especially their overseas trip to Hong Kong. Known for her exceptional sense of direction, she was the "GPS" of her time-able to recall precise, step-by-step directions after visiting a place only once. A time to mourn Adell was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Charles Edward Ferrell; her parents, Willie Preston and Willie Anna Williams; her brother, Nathaniel Williams; her sister, Emma Louise Williams Wardrick; and her grandson, Antonio Delray Williams. But most of all... there is a time to remember Gladys Adell Williams Ferrell leaves to cherish loving memory, Marcell. Charles, Duane (Tina), and Derek (Gail); her sister, Mamie Bowers; and her grandchildren, Deitra, Kelly, Marcell Jr., Natasha, Salita, Augustine, Ann Marie, Teara, Duane II, Tyler, Conner, Derek Jr. (Tiffany), Shawn, and Leonard. She is also survived by her goddaughter, Tamika Wright; her sisters-in-law, Shirley Bigelow, Mabel Gordon and Lillian Ferrell; 34 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. Adell leaves behind her chosen family as well: Angel Jones, Long cherished as a daughter-in-law; and her dear and endearing friend, Dorothy Oliver. She is further survived by a host of beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends-too numerous to name-whose shared love remains permanently etched in our hearts.

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Mrs. Gladys Adell Williams-Ferrell

November 9, 1936 - February 6, 2026