Wilma Rose Adrian
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Services to honor and celebrate the life of Wilma Rose Adrian will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 17, 2021 at The Assembly - Rose District Campus - at 200 E. Broadway St., Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74012. Pastor Adrian passed from this life on Thursday, July 8, 2021 in Bixby, Oklahoma. She was 80.
Born May 24, 1941, in Dry Tavern, Pennsylvania, Wilma Rose was the daughter of Perry and Irene (Robinson) Campbell. The middle of the Campbell's three children, Wilma excelled as a young athlete playing volleyball and basketball during her school years. She was also musically inclined. In fact, she could play the piano, by ear, and served as the church pianist starting at age 10.
When Wilma was 16 years old, the family moved to Texas. They would settle in Carthage where her father was pastor at the Carthage Church of the Nazarene (recently renamed Tatum Crossroads Church). Wilma would graduate from high school, in Carthage, and then continue her education attending Bethany Nazarene College (now Southern Nazarene University). It was there that she became the first woman to be awarded "Athlete of the Year".
While in college, Wilma was set up on a blind date with Cycil James Adrian. A unique first date, the two attended a church service, together. Not only did they attend this service together, but Cycil was the preacher and Wilma was the pianist. It seemed the Lord put this couple together and, indeed, they would end up marrying, having a family and serving in the ministry together for the rest of their lives.
While Cycil served as a pastor, Wilma's earlier focus was as a children's pastor and evangelist. She made her way to children's camps and churches, throughout the southern states, where she was well-known for her flannelgraph storytelling. "Ms. Wilma", as she was known, impacted countless lives as she ministered in this way. The Adrian's served in many churches through the years. They included: Indiahoma Mennonite Church, Valwood Nazarene in Farmer's Branch, TX, South Park in Tyler, Texas, Frist Church of the Nazarene in Shreveport, LA, Westridge Church of the Nazarene in Ft. Worth, TX and lastly, Tatum Crossroads Church in Tatum, TX (where her father ministered all those years earlier).
Described as a strong and incredible woman, a prayer warrior, and Christlike, Wilma was certainly a woman of God and the testimonies that are pouring in affirm that her life and love led many others to Christ.
Wilma is survived by: her children: daughter, Kathy Sue Roberts and Randy; daughter, Susan McClung and Dennis; son, Rev. Cleetus Adrian and Nichole; grandchildren: Rosie Ashworth and Aaron, Randa Livingston and James, Vincent McClung, Samuel McClung, Ruby McClung, Marigold McClung, Corinth Adrian, Jacob Adrian, and Victory Adrian; great-grandchildren: Stryker, Hunter, Blaze, and Jax Ashworth and Katherine, Adelyn, and Peter Livingston. She is also survived by: a sister, Martha Allen; an aunt, Wanda Jaynes; along with numerous nieces, cousins, and other relatives.
She was preceded in death by: her husband, Cycil James Adrian; a granddaughter, Willa Catherine McClung; her parents: Perry and Irene Campbell; and a brother, Rex Campbell.