Barbara Ann McAdams' Obituary
Barbara Ann (Coleman) McAdams, age 91, of Fayetteville, AR, formerly of Nevada, Mo, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 18, 2025. She was born in Waynesboro, MS, to Flora Corine (Dyess) and Cecil Edward Coleman, on August 20, 1934.
She graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1954 with a degree in Business Education. In 1958, she married the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Lee McAdams, Jr., and together they built a beautiful life. Over the years, the family lived in several states, where Barbara embraced each new chapter with grace and enthusiasm, making many life-long friends along the way. She held a variety of professions, spending the last 12 years working at Delta State University in Cleveland, Ms. before retiring and returning to Missouri.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 45 years, Bob; her parents, and her sister Mary English. She is survived by her three daughters, Belinda Kennedy and husband Scott of Deerfield, Mo., Patricia McAdams of Springfield, Mo., and Julie McKinley and husband Kevin of Farmington, Ar. She is also survived by her honorary daughter, Tracee Hansen of Hamilton, New Zealand, who lived with the family as a high school exchange student and remained connected to Barbara throughout her life. She treasured her eight grandchildren Matthew (Kristin) Kennedy, Rachel Kennedy, Nathan (Dixie) Hopkins, Dylan (Chelle) Hopkins, Danielle Hopkins, Ashley (Alex) Kersey, Bryant McKinley, and Jack McKinley. Her five great-grandchildren - Norah Kennedy, Everett Kersey, Martin Kersey, Lorelei Wilson, and Oakley McKinley – brought her endless joy and laughter.
Barbara had a heart for hospitality and will be fondly remembered for her delicious Southern cooking and the warmth with which she welcomed family and friends around her table. She cherished time spent with her daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, creating memories that will live on in their hearts. Barbara was a long-time member of First Baptist Church of Nevada, Missouri.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, October 24, at 9:00 am in the committal shelter at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, 5201 S Southwood Rd, Springfield, Mo., followed by burial. A celebration of life will be held immediately following the service at Bambino’s Café, 2810 E Battlefield Rd, Springfield, Mo.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Barbara’s honor to Girls on the Run of Southwest Missouri (https://gotrswmo.org), Nevada R-5 Foundation for memorial scholarships (https://sites.google.com/nevada.k12.mo.us/nevadar-5foundation/home), or Willard Walker Hospice Home (https://wregional.com/foundation/donate-online).
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