Deborah Roper Adams

Deborah Roper Adams passed into the Lord's hands early Monday morning, the Autumn sky clear and starlit. At 3:15 a.m. on November 23, 2015, surrounded by her loving family, she passed away gently from cancer-related complications with a peaceful smile on her face.

The eldest of Everett and Marilyn Roper's two daughters, Deborah, 60, was born in Gainesville and graduated from East Hall High School. She was a longtime member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church where she sang in the choir and worked with the youth of her beloved church family. Deborah was an avid runner, who enjoyed being outside with the sunshine on her face.

Deborah enjoyed a 40-year career in the dental industry, working in dental offices around Gainesville, and later as a sales manager for Thompson Dental Company and Patterson Dental Company. She was loved and respected in the dental community, and used her time at work to touch and teach those she met. To her clients and co-workers in the dental community, Deborah was a shoulder, a confidant and a passionately honest friend who always tried to do the right thing. Her tireless work ethic was the foundation of her successful career. For Deborah Adams, success was defined as commitment, professionalism and integrity.

Family meant more than anything to Deborah. She was a devoted and adoring wife, a caring and teaching mother, a doting and spoiling grandmother, a loving and kind big sister, and a gracious daughter.

Deborah is survived by her husband, Jerry Adams of Gainesville; her son and daughter-in-law, Rich and Amanda Smith of Cumming; her daughter and son-in-law, Kelly and Lauren Freeman of Cleveland; her grandchildren, Asher and Isaiah Smith of Cumming; her mother, Marilyn Roper of Gainesville; and her sister and brother-in-law, Lavonda and Verlin Reece of Commerce.

Deborah was preceded in death by her father, Everett Roper, and her grandparents, J.K. and Pearlee Martin, and Eulis and Jesse Roper.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, November 25, 2015 at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Gainesville. The Reverends Verlin Reece and Stacy Phillips will officiate.

The family will hold visitation on Tuesday, November 24, 2015 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Hillside Chapel Funeral Home.