Jo Ann Adams

In Loving Memory of Jo Ann Adams December 06, 1936 – July 06, 2025
Jo Ann Adams (age 88) passed away on July 06, 2025 in her home in Kirksville MO. In her final days, she was surrounded and supported by loving family.
She was born in Alicia, Arkansas on December 06, 1936 to Lorene White Hughes (1909 – 1968) and Roy Simpson Hughes (1910 – 1968). Following primary school in Alicia, she transferred to and graduated from Swifton High School. She helped on the family farm – along with sister Eleanor Hughes Marting (1934-2006) and brother Larry Stacey Hughes (1940-1964) – recalling stories of picking cotton. There was also great fun with friends and cousins; she would recall getting caught smoking with cousin Patricia Lehman (Cross), family drives to local taverns on what is now called the Rock 'n' Roll highway (Hwy 67) to hear musicians that later became famous (Johnny Cash, Elvis, etc), and hearing election results over their parking lot speakers, while her parents had a beer and the kids had a soda.
Jo graduated from Arkansas State University with a degree in teaching – where she also met and married Victor Gene Adams from Fisk, Missouri (1929-2018). They shared teaching together, traveling to State and National parks, hunting and fishing trips (one was even quail hunting on their honeymoon). Married for 61 years, they had David Victor Adams (married to Matilda Anna Adams), Elizabeth Annette Adams (1961-1980), and James Hughes Adams (married to Sandra Schwab Adams). Jo was hired in 1957 prior to graduation to begin teaching in Fisk, because of a teacher shortage – returning to ASU summer school to finish her degree. She and Vic each eventually earned their masters and specialist degrees in education. She recalled initially being called "old lady Adams", despite not being so much older than some of the students. "My age didn't mean anything, but it was how I acted with them. But every year, you discover something new, and every year you worked to make yourself better." "Once they [her students] are yours, they're always yours. You never give them up." She mainly taught 5th and 6th grade English, was Beta Club sponsor for many years, a member of the Missouri State Teachers Association, Classroom Teachers Association and the Daily American Republic's Newspaper in Education - retiring from 30 years of teaching in 1990.
She served on the Fisk Library Board, and helped establish the Fisk Nutrition Center / Civic Center. Jo was active in the Fisk Presbyterian Church, serving many roles there. She donated to, or served, the Ash Hill Cemetery most of her adult life. She and Vic helped establish the Fisk City Park, largely with their grandchildren in mind - Maggie Elizabeth Adams and Brooke JoAnn Adams, who were loved beyond measure by their Mammaw and Pappaw. Vic and Jo took endless 7-hour drives to watch dance recitals and fashion shows in their grandchildren's playroom. Brooke and Maggie fondly recall trips to Fisk when growing up, being spoiled with late night pecan pies, ice cream trips (sometimes for dinner), trips to lake Wappappello - and so, so, so much love.
Living in a house on the main road through the small town of Fisk MO, theirs was a house that people could knock on the door and always receive a warm welcome. Many of Jo's fondest memories were centered around her house being a gathering place for family and friends. There was a high school rock band performance in her carport. There were frequent holidays with the whole family gathering at Jo and Vic's, eating meals served on a large tablecloth, over a ping pong table on top of a pool table. Friends old and new gathered at their house during Fisk Fall Festivals. There were large New Year's parties in the family room. There were the best fish fries, and the best homemade ice cream.
Vic and Jo moved to Kirksville in 2018 for health reasons and to be near family. She soon developed close supportive relationships with her lady friends, who were a great blessing - meeting by Zoom to exercise three times per week. They learned to play ukulele and even performed in an outdoor porch concert.
She will miss her family in Arkansas (such as the Greens and the Belks), miss her sister Eleanor's family, miss friends and family still near Fisk and that have dispersed elsewhere (also the Fisk Presbyterian Church family, fellow retired teachers). She will miss sister-in-law Alice Auvenshine, and many cherished nieces and nephews. Jo Adams was one of a kind – vibrant, caring, full of life and full of love. She had a quick wit right up until her last hours. She definitely didn't like people "making a fuss" about her.
She was so proud of her children; David Adams, who she loved flying with in the airplane that he built; Elizabeth, who was a talented pianist; and James Adams, who she practiced Lifestyle Medicine with.
There will be an informal celebration of life for friends and family at Fisk Presbyterian Church on Saturday, August 09, 2025 between 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Fisk, Missouri.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ash Hill Cemeteries Association, P.O. Box 571, Fisk, MO, 63940
(If there are any 5th / 6th grade English errors in this writing – you'll have to take that up with Mrs. Adams when the opportunity arises.)
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