Teresa Ann Adams

Teresa Ann (Ragsdale) Adams, 63, of Tahlequah, slipped peacefully into the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ on Thursday, September 11, 2025, in Tulsa, OK. She will be interred at Greenleaf Cemetery in Tahlequah, OK. She was born April 15, 1962, in Siloam Springs to the late Benjamin Harrison and Margie Mona (Stanley) Ragsdale.

Teresa retired after many dedicated years at Tyson Foods.

Above all, Teresa was known for her giving heart, fun spirit, and unwavering faith. She had a gift for turning everyday moments into memories that lasted a lifetime.

Her niece Terry recalls how, in the early days of Teresa’s marriage to James, she would only talk to Teresa in the driveway due to a childhood phobia. Teresa would laugh, scold James back inside, and coax Terry to return, always with humor and love. Later, Teresa’s persistence as a matchmaker led Terry to meet her husband, Deryl, her “Prince Charming,” a love story made possible because Teresa would not take no for an answer.

Her niece Andrea shares a more tender memory. As a child, she longed for new Barbie clothes. Teresa invited her over, served chicken pot pies, and together they cut up a pair of Teresa’s old jeans to make Barbie outfits. “I’ve loved chicken pot pies ever since because of that day,” Andrea said.

Her nephew Aaron treasures their long phone conversations about the foods they loved such as cornbread, brown beans, fried potatoes, and no-bake cookies. He remembers calling her many times for her fry-bread recipe, only to be reminded it was just a few simple ingredients. Most of all, he cherishes how, after his mother passed away, Teresa stayed on the phone with him for hours, simply being present when he needed her most.

Her nephew Jason remembers living with Aunt Teresa when he was eight. One summer she bought him fireworks, and he ended up with roman candles in hand while she and her boyfriend stepped away. Jason admits he accidentally shot the front of her boyfriend’s car, leaving dents across the hood. Teresa and her boyfriend were stunned, but the memory still brings laughter all these years later.

Her nephew TJ recalls how Teresa loved nothing more than cooking for the people around her. At Tyson’s, her coworkers always looked forward to the days she brought in food, especially her enchiladas. She also had her simple favorites, like ham salad, which she described with a smile as nothing more than cubed ham and a few spoonfuls of mayonnaise. To TJ, it wasn’t really about the recipe, it was about the joy she found in feeding others, and how every bite carried a little piece of her generosity and love.

Her niece Tracy remembers how, as a little girl, Teresa always protected her and made sure she felt safe and loved. She recalls their long conversations and especially Teresa’s contagious laugh. Even on hard days, they would end up laughing together, and those moments of joy are memories Tracy will always carry.

Stories like these capture the essence of who Teresa was. She gave generously of her time, her laughter, and her love. To her many nieces and nephews, she was more than an aunt. She was a guiding hand, a second mother, and a source of joy.

She is preceded in death by her husband, James Adams; grandparents, Benjamin Franklin and wife Willie Nora (Jones) Ragsdale and Bill and Elsie (Thomas) Stanley; two sisters, Lois Sarten and Stella Vaillancourt; her eight brothers, Blaine Ragsdale, Larry Ragsdale, Mark Ragsdale, Dale Ragsdale, Tommy Wayne Ragsdale, Joe Michael Ragsdale, and her twin brother Timothy Allen Ragsdale Sr.; and her niece, Janet Kay (Beck) Ballard.

She leaves behind one brother and one sister, Jasper Ragsdale of Teresita, OK, and Cathy Jackson of Tahlequah, OK. Having no children of her own, her memory lives on in her many nieces and nephews, whom she lovingly called her babies.

Pallbearers will be James Beck, Jason Ragsdale, Aaron Ragsdale, Timothy Ragsdale Jr., Corey Ragsdale, Bill Ragsdale, Patrick Ragsdale, and Levi Ragsdale. Honorary pallbearers will be Michael David Jackson Jr. and Ryan Jackson.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 25, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Hart Funeral Home in Tahlequah, OK. Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 26, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Hart Funeral Home, with interment immediately following at Greenleaf Cemetery in Tahlequah, OK.

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." — Matthew 5:4