Ann Adams, age 84, of West Monroe, Louisiana, passed away on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at Cox South hospital in Springfield, Missouri. She went pain free and peacefully with her son Gary and granddaughter Shelby by her side.

Ann was born to Herman Wiley Adams and Hattie May Wilson Adams on December 10, 1939. She was raised in West Monroe, Louisiana with her two brothers and four sisters.

Ann was blessed with three children and survived by her daughter Stephanie Ann Skelton-Smith, and two sons: Gary Wayne Skelton II (Jill), and Sean Adam O’Hair (Diane). Her six beautiful granddaughters; Destinee Marie Smith; partner John, Shelby Lynn (Skelton) Osburn; husband Wesley, Brodie Ann (Skelton) Serreyn; husband Jeremy, Colette Alison Smith; partner Eric, Katie Therese (Skelton) Dean; husband Devin, and Aubrey Lane O’Hair. Along with, three wonderful great grandchildren; Holden Joseph Osburn, Roman Kristopher Osburn, and Lola Juliet Nelson with her fourth one coming in January. She is also survived by her two brothers: John Raymond Adams and Jerry Wilson Adams.

She was a beloved mother, sister, Aunt Teeny, grandmother (GMA), great grandmother, mentor & friend to many!

Ann was preceded in death by her sisters the “Biddies” as they called themselves, Thelma Louise Adams Cagle, Aileen Ray Adams Shirley Holt Ruffin, Elaine Adams Downing, and Ruth Esther Adams Freeland. Sister-in-Law; Bernardine Adams (Jerry).

After spending her childhood in Louisiana, Ann spent most of her adult life in Las Vegas. Where she supported and worked hard to raise her three children.

Ann’s biggest joy and accomplishment in life was being a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She loved nothing more than to have a strong family and foundation. Ann always looked forward to spending all time with all her loved ones, no matter what they were doing, just being together was the best for her. Outside of her many brothers, sisters, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, Ann had another love in her life. Bowling.

Bowling was always the one thing she continued to do and more importantly work to better the sport of women’s bowling.

She was the secretary of the LVWBA for a long time. Las Vegas Women’s Bowling Association was an officer at the NWBA Nevada Women’s Bowling Association, a member of the WIBC Women’s International Bowling Congress and earned a spot in the Hall of Fame of all three. Ann was also a member of the NWBWA National Women’s Bowling Writers Association and wrote a weekly op-ed for Las Vegas Suns newspapers on, you guessed it, women’s bowling.

She was very accomplished in the administrative side of women’s bowling. Nationally and locally. She was one of the top legal secretaries in LV once until she decided to become a 21 dealer. Started at the Stardust and then worked her way to the Riviera where she became the last female Pit Boss they had. Then, she went back to a secretarial position with the City of North Las Vegas.

She enjoyed many things in life, Billy Ray Cyrus was high up there. She was the President of the Nevada chapter of the Billy Ray Cyrus fan club for just over 5 years. She always loved and looked forward to going on some amazing sister trips with all the “Biddies” throughout the years! We also cannot forget her love for penguins and all things penguins, it became a part of her identity.

After years in the bowling and casino industry in Las Vegas, Ann moved to Ash Grove, Missouri where she focused on family and enjoyed a “semi-retirement”. Ann still made yearly trips to work at the annual women’s national bowling tournament and travel around.  The rest of the year she enjoyed spending time with all of her grandchildren, volunteering at the Ronald McDonald house, and the Botanical Gardens in Springfield, Missouri. Ann almost never missed any of her grandchildren’s activities they were in, and taught the Missouri granddaughters all how to drive, as well as traveled and made time for all her children and grandchildren between Florida, Missouri, and Colorado. Family was so important to her.

Outside of her family, work and volunteering, Ann loved traveling and seeing the world. Some knew her as “driving miss daisy”.  She visited all fifty states and went on multiple cruises and trips. Her sister’s trip to Ireland was a top favorite for her. Ann never turned down a dessert opportunity, in fact sometimes would eat her dessert first and get her meal to go. Fried catfish/frog legs or chicken fried steak with fried okra were one of her favorite comfort dishes and ALWAYS with sweet tea or Dr. Pepper, she always said that meal reminded her of her childhood. When it came time for birthdays, or any other celebration, there was a great chance that she was taking you to Olive Garden for minestrone soup and endless salad and breadsticks to celebrate. Butter pecan ice cream and sherbet were a staple in her freezer and man did she make a great mayonnaise chocolate cake and fruit pizza for all her gatherings. Let’s not forget every Christmas morning you knew she was bringing her famous monkey bread for all to enjoy.

In her downtime she loved reading, online games, especially POGO and words with friends, where she met some incredible people and friends over the years. Sudoku, word puzzles, Mexican dominos, card games, and scattergories were a few of her favorites; and she would never let anyone get by without following the rules, even if you were a 5-year-old trying to play, no exceptions. She was super competitive and not going to lose. She hardly ever missed a Jeopardy showing, Survivor, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? or Law and Order and most importantly was one of the fiercest Scrabble competitors to ever tackle the tiles. Very few would be able to challenge her and even less beat her!

Her independence, sass, wit, intelligence, and competitive loving spirit is going to be greatly missed by so many! Anytime you enjoy a piece of dessert, bowl a few frames or see a penguin you can think of Ann and smile!

As Ann would always say during any hard times to anyone … “This too, shall pass!” …  So let’s remember the good and enjoy the time we all had on earth with Ann. She would want to be celebrated!

Funeral services are Saturday, November 30, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Greenlawn Funeral Home in Springfield, Missouri with Pastor Mike Arico officiating. With a visitation from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM, prior to the service at the funeral home.