Celebrating the
Anthony “12”
COVER STORY A Celebration of Life! February 3, 2018 10:00am
February 18, 1982
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: Tributes of Love & My Life in Pictures!
January 24, 2018
Adam Anthony “12” Ross was born on February 18, 1982 to the late Vera Louise Mason Ross Johnson and John Wayne Simmons.
HIS STORY
Adam accepted the lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior at the early age of 11 at Pressing Onward Baptist Church by the late Reverend Bernard Squalls, Pastor. Adam was educated in New Orleans Parish school system where he attended Mc Donough #36, Carter G. Woodson, Booker T. Washington and John F. Kennedy High School. He was employed at Neyows Creole Café, French Quarter Hotel Collection, Big Freedia Enterprises, LLC, LaDiva’s Creations, and also was featured on his brother’s reality show, Big Freedia Queen of Bounce Adam just knew he had all of his jobs down to a science. He was a cook, bellman, decorator, security and hypeman. His enthusiasm was amazing. He was loved by so many. His personality and love for his family and friends was unconditional… He will be truly missed! Adam leaves to cherish his precious memories, one son, Aiden Martin; one sister, Crystal Antoinette Ross; three brothers, Freddie Ross, Jr., Dwayne Carter (Javarnna),Cardell Hayes, Sr., Adopted brother Christopher Joseph; step-siblings, Donald, Jr. and Bianca Johnson; companion, Ashley Giles; step-father, Donald Ray Johnson, Sr., nieces, Curnaja Every and Dwayne`Nisha Smith; nephews, Dwayne Smalls and Dwayne Smith; uncles, Clarence Mason, Sr. (Andria), Howard Mason, Sr. (Barbara), Cedric Mason, Sr. (Juliana), Ronald Carl Simmons, Percy Williams; aunts, Terry Woods (Eddie), Starlett Barbre and Irene (Michael) Gibbs Johnson (Godmother also); and grandfather, Freddie Gibbs; and a host of other relatives and friends. The Family of Adam is asking for your prayers asking that God give his child’s mother, Michelle Martin, the strength to continue to raise their child with unconditional love like his father gave him. Adam is preceded in death by his mother, Vera Louise Mason Ross Johnson; grandmother, Hazel Mae Gibbs; grandparents, Clarence, Sr. and Laddie Mason, Joseph, Sr. and Willie Mae Simmons; uncles, Lawrence and James Mason and Joseph Simmons, Jr.; cousins, Tommie Lee and Jared Kendall Brooks; godfather, Eddie Gasquet and godsister, Detra Herring.
ORDER OF SERVICE Fifth African Baptist Church 3419 South Robertson Street * New Orleans, LA 70115
Saturday, February 3, 2018 * Visitation 9am / Service 10:00 a.m.
Organ Prelude: Zack Landry Processional Ministers & Family Praise & Worship Scripture Readings: Old Testament:
Psalms 23 New Testament: John 14:1-6
Prayer & Chant Mistress of Service ……………………………………………………………… Minister Renee Davenport My Redeemer Missionary B.C. Solo …….............................................................................................................................. Rance Scott Poem / Reflections …………………………………………………………………..…………… Betty Grover Words of Encouragement ……………………………………………………………...………... Betty Grover Special Musical Tribute ……………………………………………………………. Jeffery Pelrean & CTW Reading of Obituary & Acknowledgments ……………………………………….. Min. Renee Davenport Solo …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Denesia Eulogy ……………………………………………………………………………………... Rev. Devin Mason Pastor, New Rescue Mission B.C, Acknowledgement of Ministers ………………………………………………………….. (2 Minutes Please) Parting View …………………………………………………………..… Gertrude Geddis Willis in Charge
Benediction / Recessional
I Am My Brother’s Keeper
You never said “I’m leaving,” You never said “Good-bye;” You were gone before I knew it, And only God knows why. A million times I’ve needed you, A million times I’ve cried; If love alone could have saved you, Then you never would have died. In life I loved you dearly In death I love you still; In my heart you hold a special place, That no one can ever fill. It broke my heart to lose you But know you didn’t go alone; For a part of me went with you, The day God called you home. The pain is overbearing, With each passing day it grows deeper; You are gone but not forgotten, I am forever my brother’s keeper.
Our BROTHER
“The world changes from year to year, our lives from day to day, but the love and memory of you, shall never pass away.”
Have You Seen My Daddy… Have you seen my daddy? I don’t know where he’s gone. Sometimes it hurts so much I can’t seem to carry on. I hear he doesn’t look quite the same He wasn’t getting much rest The pain and struggles are now all gone In fact he looks his best. Is he now playing tag with my MeMe In that place way up above? I know MeMe will take good care of you Just like you took good care of me So fly high Daddy and never stop watching over me. Love Always, Your #1 and Only Son, Aiden
Family Love To My Family and Friends, I’m sorry I had to take my last breath, but if you know God, then you know there’s life after death. I love you my big brother Freddie. I know you’re going to stay strong… just keep on rapping and bouncing, sharing your talents with the world to hold on. Crystal, you’re just like Momma, you fuss and cuss, but y’all hearts are full of love always ready to bust. You’re the one person in the world I trust. Keep your head up and hold the family down. If you’re crying right now, I’m going to need you to fix your crown. My niece that’s so beautiful in spirit and in heart, Curnaja, I want you to finish school just like we were taught. Just because I’m not there doesn’t mean our bond is broken. That’s a gift of our love, cherish that token. To my son, you don’t know how sorry I am that I won’t be there with you as you grow and become a man. With the spirit of God, I will be with you holding your hand all the way through. Remember the love I have for you.
I Love You All!
Family
Until We Meet Again Each morning when we awake We know that you are gone. And no one knows the heartache As we try to carry on. Our hearts still ache with sadness and many tears still flow. What it meant to lose you, No one will ever know. Our thoughts are always with you, your place no one can fill. In life we loved you dearly, In death we love you still. There will always be a heartache, and often a silent tear, But always a precious memory of the days when you were here. If tears could make a staircase and heartache make a lane, We’d walk the path to heaven And bring you home again. We hold you close within our hearts, and there you will remain, To walk with us throughout our lives Until we meet again. Our family chain is broken now, and nothing will be the same, But as God calls us one by one, The chain will link again.
Your Family
We’re missing you a little more, each time we hear your name. We’ve cried so many tears, yet our heart’s broken just the same. We miss our times together, things in common we could share, but nothing fills the emptiness, now that you’re no longer there. We’ve so many precious memories, to last our whole life through, each one of them reminders, of how much we’re missing you.
Truth Spirit &
Forever
Mother & Son Back Together Again Adam: It’s morning and the sun is starting to set. As I open my eyes, immediately I feel pain in my chest. People look at me like you’re holding on well… when in reality it feels like I’m living in hell. They say time heals all wounds, so I look at myself in the mirror and say what’s the hold up with you. My pain is heavy, it sits right here… so I cry out loud to my mother in Silent Tears Her special smile, her certain touch I never had a love that I loved so much Momma, I love that you were “Solid Ground” There’s not another woman in this world who can wear your crown Right from the start you uplift my heart And when you died, you stretched it all apart Momma the love for you never ends I’m living on earth in constant sin Can you please tell the Lord to let me in My family don’t know how much pain I hold So to them it looks like I’m out of control Everyday I wake up wishing I was with you Hear my cry now Momma, I so love you!
Vera: Son was that you, was that you who just sighed, Son was that you, I thought I heard you cry Son is that you laying on that cold ground With the look of fear in your eyes Son why don’t you want to stay alive Now you hear the Heaven Bells You know there’s a difference between earth and hell Adam you know how much I love you and care The pain you’re going through, I can’t even bare I look at God with this wishful stare Can you bring my son home Lift his soul from down there Listen at what he said to God just listen to his crying plea God does amazing things Like bringing you back to me again In my arms you’re feeling week While our love holds strong and runs so deep Momma heard your cry and now you can sleep Son, You wear the real crown!
Active Pallbearers
Cedric Mason, Jr. George Jackson Juluis Pierre
Howard Mason, Jr. Jarren Jackson Leonard Brooks
Honorary Pallbearers Clarence Mason, Sr. Cedric Mason, Sr. Christopher Joseph Donald Johnson, Sr. Freddie Gibbs Freddie Ross, Jr. Kimberly Dawson
Howard Mason, Sr. Dwayne Carter Cardell Hayes, Sr. Percy Williams Devon Hurst Aiden Martin Donald Johnson, Jr.
Special Thanks
Acknowledgments We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to everyone for every flower, card, phone call, text, visit, post, donation or any act of kindness shown. We pray that God will double your blessings. Sincerely, The Ross Family
Arrangements Gertrude Geddis Willis 2120 Jackson Avenue New Orleans, LA 70113
Until That Great Day
Fifth African B.C., Pastor Dale Sanders, Renee Davenport, Gertrude Geddis Willis, Ms. Barbara Keller, Pastor Devin Mason, Mona’s Accent Florist, Picture Man Lucien, Betty Grover, Mark Bazile, Warner & Modica Family, Charbonnett, Rance Scott, Sweetwyne, Big Six, Inwell Press, Denisia, City Hall, Our Celebrations of Life, Lynette Richardson Wright, Juan LaFonta, World of Wonder, Fuse, Adolph Briggs, Dr. Tracy Crear, Crystal Sisters, Gail Sherman, Midcity Carriages, Brandon Mitchell, Sara Renaud, Jeffery Pelrean & CTW
Interment
Mt. Olivet Cemetery 4000 Norman Mayer Ave. New Orleans, LA 70122
Repast
Dryades YMCA 2220 Oretha C. Haley Blvd. Until 4pm
Program Design: Our Celebrations of Life (504) 453-2186 * ourcelebrationsoflife@gmail.com