Adam Keith Cleveland

Born to Bobby Jack and Linda Entrekin Cleveland on December 26 1967, Adam was raised in Southside Alabama and graduated from Southside High School with the class of 1986. He continued his education at Auburn University and then Jacksonville State University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History in 1994.

Adam was a longtime, dedicated employee of The Berman Museum and The Anniston Museum of Natural History in Anniston Alabama, and he grew to love them both during his time there. Music was a foundational element of Adam's character. He loved to listen to and share quality rock and roll and country music. He was a guitar player and collector, and he got more enjoyment from guitar picking than from any other pastime. He was a lifelong fan and supporter of the Alabama Crimson Tide. As much as anyone you've ever known, Adam loved to laugh and have a good time, and he seldom let anything get in the way of that. He insisted you come along too.

Adam was a skeptic, but in spite of that, people were drawn to him and found him easy to talk to. He may have joked that they couldn't resist his good looks and charm, but more likely it was because they knew his doubts made him decent. As a result, he attracted a circle of genuine friends who trusted, loved, and were loyal to him throughout his life, and among whom he was completely at ease, no matter the circumstance. Adam was tough, and that toughness served him well in the last, hard year of his life. In spite of the enormous and unbeatable obstacles he faced, his spirit was unbroken at the end. Now it's free to wander.

Adam was preceded in death by his brother, Barton Jason Cleveland, his father Bobby Jack Cleveland, his grandparents Barton & Nan Cleveland, and Homer & Annie Bea Entrekin.

Left behind to miss him are his daughter Cadence Noel Cleveland and her mother Christina Justiss, his mother Linda Cleveland, and his brother Noah (Gena) Cleveland. The aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who loved Adam and showed it by showing up for him in the end when he needed them the most are too numerous to list. It was only through their attention and assistance that we were able to hold Adam close to us in the end.

Memorial services will be announced at some time in the near future. In lieu of flowers, donations might be made to the Gadsden Fire Department's Toys from Santa Program.