Quenton Adams (Lebanon)'s Obituary
William Quenton Adams, son of Vincie and Eula (Lewis) Adams, was born September 20, 1926, in Okemah, Oklahoma. He departed this life Tuesday, December 15, 2015, in his home, near Richland, Missouri, at the age of eighty-nine years, two months, and twenty-five days.
On April12, 1947, he was united in marriage to Bonnie Ruth Pruitt, and to this union one daughter, Jane Ann, and two sons, David and Bill, were born.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Bonnie, on August 3, 2001; an infant son, David Adams; a brother, Kenneth Adams, just two months ago; three infant brothers; his infant sister; and two step-mothers, Nola (Summers) Adams, and Jessie (Watkins) Adams.
Quenton is survived by his daughter, Jane Ann Atkins, and her husband, Rev. Larry, of Laquey, Missouri; his son, William Quenton “Bill” Adams, Jr., and his wife, Christy, of Laquey, Missouri; five grandchildren, William “Matt” Atkins, and his wife, Kristi, Micah Atkins, Ruth Ann Justus, and her husband, Jay, William Paul Adams, and his wife, Samantha, and MacKenzie Murphy; nine great-grandchildren, Destiny, Garrett, Colton, Isaiah, MaKayla, Nathaniel, Dian, Jocelyn, and Ellie; a brother, Donald Adams, and his wife, Lucille, of Cowiche, Washington; a sister-in-law, Opal Adams, of Bryan, Texas; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He lived in Oklahoma the first six months of his life and then moved to the family home in the Crossroads community, near Brownfield, east of Lebanon, Missouri. He quit school at the age of sixteen, having trouble dealing with his mother’s premature death. He served in the United States Army during World War II, from December 7, 1944 until receiving his honorable discharge on August 31, 1946, after the end of the war. He received one bronze battle star, the Asiatic Pacific Theater/Philippine Liberation Victory Medal, the Army Occupation of Japan Medal, and a good conduct medal.
After the war, Quenton returned home where he met and later married Bonnie, who was living with his uncle and aunt, Bob and Alma Lewis, while she was teaching school at Brownfield. He worked on the construction of the Mid-America Building in Lebanon. He and Bonnie moved to Washington in the summer of 1947, and returned to Missouri in the spring of 1948, living in Lebanon through the summer and then moving to the family farm at Crossroads that was homesteaded by Quenton’s great-grandfather Lewis. The farm was declared a Century Farm, where he lived until his journey to heaven.
He and Bonnie started farming and teaching (both of which they loved). He got his GED, started taking college classes, and began teaching at several rural schools, including Brownfield, Mt. Salem, Crossroads, and Detherage, before furthering his teaching career with the Richland R-IV Schools in the fall of 1959. Quenton taught junior high math and science and coached basketball. He became the elementary and junior high principal at Richland R-IV Schools in 1968, serving there until his retirement in June of 1982. As a principal, he was uniquely able to work with administrators, teachers, the school board, students and parents, often enabling them to harmonize and work together for the best interest of the students.
From 1956 and through the ensuing years, he worked during the summer months helping to build what would become Interstate 44, as teachers were only paid eight months of the year at the rural schools. He was also finishing his bachelor’s degree in 1964, and his master’s degree in 1967, both in elementary education. He did this by taking evening classes and some summer classes. His total teaching career spanned thirty-three years.
After retirement, Quenton became an insurance agent with Laclede Mutual Insurance Company for several years before he became blinded by macular degeneration. His wife, Bonnie, was diagnosed with Lupus soon after they retired, and later had a severe stroke before her death in 2001. Quenton was so patient and faithful to care for her through all her illnesses. He loved her dearly as well as his children grandchildren and great-grandchildren until his death.
He was a very loving and tender man, yet a firm husband, father, teacher and friend. He had to sell his cattle in 2005, because they were too much for him to care for with his blindness. He truly loved the farm and his cattle. He also enjoyed hunting on the farm and fishing both on the rivers and at Lake of the Ozarks and Truman Lake. For several years, he and Bonnie enjoyed camping with Bonnie’s sisters and their husbands, Mary and Ed Southard, and Donna and Ed Graves.
Quenton was saved and baptized at Crossroads Freewill Baptist Church in 1942, and was ordained as a deacon in 1953. He was a faithful member and servant for the members of the church over the years. His faith was evident in all his dealings both in work, leisure, and at home. He loved and truly appreciated the people at Crossroads Freewill Baptist Church, who have been so special to him.
Quenton was a longtime active member of the Masonic Lodge in Richland. He loved and greatly appreciated his neighbors who came by often and called him almost daily. He departed much wisdom and knowledge both with his students, his family and his friends.
Quenton will be fondly remembered for his wise words, loving and gentle ways and the wonderful guidance he gave. He will be truly missed by those who loved and knew him best. He was a good example of Christ Jesus in all his life, not perfect but, his daughter, Jane Ann, believed he was.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Crossroads Cemetery Fund and left at the funeral home.
What’s your fondest memory of Quenton?
What’s a lesson you learned from Quenton?
Share a story where Quenton's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Quenton you’ll never forget.
How did Quenton make you smile?
