Dr. Dolly Deselle Adams
Episcopal Supervisor - Retired

Dr. Dolly Deselle Adams, reared in New Orleans, is the wife of Bishop John Hurst Adams, the 87th Bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. For 16 years of his tenure, he served as the senior Bishop of the church.

Educationally, she received the B.S. Degree from Southern University, Baton Rouge, LA, the Master of Arts Degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI and the Doctorate of Education from the Baylor University, Waco, TX.

As Episcopal Supervisor, she and her husband served the 10th, 2nd, 6th, 7th and 11th Episcopal Districts which covered 32 years of service. Programmatically, she focused upon foster care and adoption, support for cancer research, the digging of water wells in Africa and establishing day care centers for homeless and abused women and children. Her mark as the leader of many educational and spiritual retreats for the WMS, YPD and Minister’s Spouses was exemplary.

She is a leader in community service having served as the National President of The Links, Inc., and The Links Foundation, Inc, President of the Black Women’s Agenda, Inc, the National Board of Directors of the U.N.C.F., is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and the N.A.A.C.P.

This couple has three successful daughters, Gaye Adams Massey, Esq., Dr. Jann Adams and Madelyn Adams Cobb. They have eight grandchildren.