Vella Fern Adams

Vella Fern Adams, a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother passed from this life on Saturday, August 17, 2024, in Coffeyville, Kansas at Medicalodges on Midland where she had resided for several years.

Vella was born in Coffeyville, on February 17, 1926, to Fred Edwin and Mary “Molly” Louise (Blakemore) Stroud. She was the youngest of five children and attended school in Coffeyville where she graduated from Field Kindley Memorial High School in 1945. Vella completed her cosmetology training after high school and worked at Bea’s Beauty Shop and at the Vanity Box Beauty Salon. 

Vella married the love of her life, Charles Edgar Adams. The two met at Pete’s Market in Coffeyville and the two eloped on April 2, 1949, in Bentonville, Arkansas, sharing 54 years of marriage before Charles passed. In 1950 Charles was call back to active duty from the reserves and Vella followed him to Germany, Japan, and multiple stateside locations. During this time three children were born, Tim, Nancy, and Jan. In 1965 Charles was stationed back stateside at Offutt AFB in Nebraska until his retirement receiving a honorable discharge in 1967. Vella and Charles along with their children made Lincoln their home until 1969 when they moved back to Coffeyville for their forever home.

Vella was a wonderful wife, supporting her husband as a career military wife. Vella made every birthday special for their children and, later, her grandchildren. She always made a special birthday cake just for them. Christmas gatherings were always at her house, and she enjoyed decorating the tree with different themes and ornaments. In Vella’s spare time she enjoyed bowling, attending meetings of the Daughter’s of the Nile, watching golf and crocheting. 

Vella loved her family deeply and will be missed deeply by her daughters, Nancy (Gary) Kitterman of South Coffeyville, Oklahoma, Jan (Bill) St. Laurent of Dewey, Oklahoma, grandchildren Adam (Nikki) Lemos of Littleton, Colorado, Brett (Keesha) Lemos of South Coffeyville, Oklahoma, Chase (Lindsey) Kitterman of Yukon, Oklahoma, Jason Gulick of Hereford, Arizonia, Jennifer ( Justin) Jackson of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Hope Adams of Independence, Kansas, Faith Landsaw of Independence, Kansas, Charity Blackburn of Independence, Kansas, nineteen great grandchildren and five great great grandchildren and one on the way. Vella is now at rest with her parents, husband, and son Tim Adams, two sisters, Ola Simmons, Nova Collins, two brothers Mike Stroud and Owen Stroud and one great grandchild, Madelyne Gulick.

Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel and Vella’s family welcome you to attend the Funeral Services Celebrating her life on Friday, August 23, 2024 at 2pm with the family receiving friends from 1 pm to service time. Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice Chaplin Steven Foraker will be officiating. Vella will be laid to rest next to her husband Charles in Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery Following the service. The family is requesting memorials be made in Vella’s memory to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice and may be left in care of the chapel. To view live streaming of the service, share a memory or leave a message of condolence visit https://www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com/obituaries/vella-adam