Nera Ross Adams born on March 11, 1935 and passed to Glory on August 12, 2026. With hearts full of both gratitude and sorrow, we announce the passing of our mother, Nera Ross Adams. As a true daughter of the South, Nera embodied "GRITS." She was truly a woman of Grace, Resilience, Integrity, Tenacity, and Strength. Married to R.C. just before her high school graduation in 1953, the couple moved from her hometown of Gulfport, Mississippi to forge a new life "out west." As they began their family in Idaho, both Nera and R.C. worked and attended college. She didn't complete her educational journey until her children were older, but achieved her Master’s Degree in Home Economics with a focus on Gerontology at age 40.

 Life dealt challenges, but Nera rose up to meet everyone. Her mother came to live with the young couple and Nera embraced every part of life with "Mother", caring for her until her passing in 1979. Her oldest daughter, Richelle, suffered an illness that left her impaired and Nera discovered her "mama bear" persona to fight for every opportunity possible for Richelle. Finances were tough as a young family and she learned to shop and cook on a strict budget for her family of seven, later turning that skill into teaching local farm workers how to stretch their funds through a job at the Economic Opportunities Commission. Nera's quiet strength and desire to live honorably before God was an example to many.

Nera was always busy! She rarely allowed herself to watch an entire television program without something to work on as she watched and listened. She worked on a myriad of crafts. She could just as easily be found behind her sewing machine making clothing and gifts as in dirt up to her elbows as she dug a garden patch or laid out a stone walkway. Painting, crochet, origami, flower arranging. . . if it sparked creativity in her soul, she was in!

 She took all she had learned through life, marriage, family, and education and put her faith into beautiful action when she took a job at Evangel Home, a crisis center for women and their children. Her great joy was to teach women about God and his love for them, to show them the value and worth he had given them, and then teach them the practical skills needed to live for him out in the world. She helped them with everything from getting their GED or diploma, learning how to manage a bank account, budgeting for monthly expenses, saving, and giving, to parenting skills, and so much more. It was a challenging position and she loved it with her whole heart because she knew she was helping many women make generational changes and eternal choices. 

As Nera grew older, she moved into San Joaquin Gardens and quickly began teaching different craft classes, participating in plays and musicals, and volunteering in many areas. One of her favorite volunteer roles was to welcome new residents and show them around and help them get involved in "Garden Life." 

Nera's health began to fail several years ago, but her faith never wavered. She and God had continuous conversations about everything. She loved listening to and singing hymns, going through daily devotional books and reading her well-worn Bible. She passed from this world with family by her side and reminders of love all around her. 

Nera is predeceased by her parents, Justus and Ettie Ross, her brother Douglas, and her former husband, R.C. Adams. She is survived by her four children - Ross Adams(Marilyn), Richelle Adams, Jonna Aluisi, and Kari Stacey (Scott); three grandchildren - Jared Aluisi (Kyli), Jenna Campbell (Dustin), and Ryan Stacey (Megan), and seven great-grandchildren, Kingston (12), Mia (7), Oliver (7), Vienna (5), Jade (4), Odin (2), and Eloise Nera (8 months). 

A memorial service will be held at Northpointe Community Church (4625 W Palo Alto Ave, Fresno, 93722) in the Prayer Room at 10:00 am on Saturday, August 22, 2026. 

In lieu of flowers, please send remembrances to Northpointe Community Church - Benevolence Fund.