Adolphus Cleveland

Dr. Adolphus Cleveland, 80, departed this life on Thursday, October 12, 2023. Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, October 28, 2023, at 1 p.m. at Praise Center Ministries. Dr. Adolphus Cleveland was born on October 26, 1942 in Plainview, Texas, to Willie D. and Etha J. Cleveland. Adolphus grew up in Plainview, Texas. He graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1961.After high school, he attended Wayland Baptist College in Plainview, TX, where he earned a B.A. Degree in Political Science. In 2022 he received an honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree. Over his lifetime, Adolphus was the recipient of many honors and awards, including: 1994 Outstanding Young Men of America, 1975 Who’s Who in American Politics, 1975 Outstanding Community Service Award in Lubbock, TX, Community Service Award from Lubbock Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, 1979 Personalities of the South, 1990 Collector of the Year. Adolphus served faithfully as a minister of the Gospel for nearly sixty years. His bi-vocational pastoral experience includes: Pastor of Triangle Baptist Church in Clovis, NM, Pastor of New Jerusalem Baptist Church in Lubbock, TX, Pastor of Union Baptist Church in Ridgecrest, CA. Founding Pastor of New Beginnings Baptist Fellowship in Ridgecrest, CA (5 acres purchased under his leadership in 1989; construction of the starter worship center completed in 1997). Founding Pastor of The White Church in Lubbock, TX Executive Pastor of Unified Baptist Church in Lubbock, TX Adolphus excelled in various occupations, so many that we can’t list them all. To name a few: Contract Consultant for the California Southern Baptist Convention, Senior Collection Officer, Collection Department, Supervisor/Support Clerk at Alta One Federal Credit Union in Ridgecrest, CA. Adolphus’ foremost interest was to spread the Word of God. He ministered to everyone he came in contact with. Adolphus was preceded in death by his parents Willie D. and Etha J. Cleveland, his siblings Willie D. Cleveland Jr.; Florence (Cleveland) Simmons; Flora (Cleveland) Brown; and Donald Ray Cleveland. Adolphus is survived by his children Linda (Roy) Davis of Lubbock, TX; Adrian (Tina) Cleveland of San Antonio, TX; and LaChelle (Travis) McCormick of Lubbock, TX his grandchildren Simone (Frank) Gaines; Skyler Jackson; Zadrian Cleveland; Chareena Cleveland; Brittany Cleveland; Martin Cleveland and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.