Dale A. Adcock's Obituary
Dale A. Adcock passed away peacefully after a brief illness on May 23, 2024 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Ina Dale Allen Adcock was born October 8, 1935 in Little Rock, Arkansas to William Richard Allen and Ida Margaret Wilhite Allen. Dale’s early years were spent in Arkansas County going back and forth between her two grandmothers while her father was a patient in the tuberculosis sanatorium in Booneville, Arkansas. Her mother remained in Booneville to help care for her father during his illness. Dale was a lifelong Methodist, having been confirmed in 1947 at the age of 12.
Dale was in the 8th grade when her father was released from the Sanatorium and the small family, including Ninnie, Dale’s beloved paternal grandmother, began to build a life together in Booneville. Dale graduated from Booneville High School in 1953 and enrolled in Arkansas Tech in the fall where she pursued a degree in Home Economics. Her emphasis of study was in textiles and foods.
She married Charles (Charlie) Mabern Adcock on May 27, 1955, sharing 47 years of life together. Charlie died in 2002. Dale always wanted a family. Born to them were their children: Charles Allen Adcock and Susan Michelle Adcock Place. Charlie spent most of his adult career as the Commissioner of the Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference (AIC) so much of their family’s lives were spent attending college sporting events around Arkansas. Charlie was Dale’s greatest supporter and cheerleader except for maybe Dale’s father-in law, Buddy Adcock. Buddy thought she could do anything and often said, “Ask Dale. Dale knows.”
Dale had her own amazing career beginning in the advertising departments for M.M. Cohn’s and Blass, followed by nine years in graphic design at Arkansas Printing. She also worked as the Director of Programs for University Mall where she coordinated all the holiday decorations, fashion shows, and even dressed up as Martha Washington to sell cherry pies on President’s Day.
She was probably best known for her work at Arkansas Livestock and Poultry where she promoted chickens and eggs across the State of Arkansas, as well as nationally. Dale retired in 1998 from Arkansas Farm Bureau after twenty years of service in various positions. She loved mentoring new employees in how to travel for business and improve their leadership skills. Young Farmers and Ranchers, Women’s groups, and youth camps were also under her umbrella. Charlie said, “Most people send their kids to camp, I send my wife.”
Dale was beautiful inside and out. She loved beautiful things: flowers, table settings, holidays, bright colors, clothes, music, and most of all – her family. She was a Master Gardner with an emphasis in roses and she loved caring for the historic bushes at Mt. Holly cemetery. Her knitting and crewel embroidery skills were surpassed by none. As a seamstress, she made and either smocked or embroidered, all of Michelle’s baby through early elementary clothes, which brought her great joy. Beautiful pieces of needlework are a part of her legacy.
Dale learned to cook shortly after moving to Booneville when Ninnie quickly recognized that Dale’s mother was not a very good cook. Ninnie told Dale that if she didn’t teach her (Dale) to cook, they were all going to starve to death. Dale perfected an orange sponge cake that would be entered in the Logan County Fair. She didn’t want to win first place; she wanted second place. The first place prize was a tray, but the second prize was a Better Homes and Garden cookbook. In her mind the best prize was the cookbook. Just before the judging, a flower arrangement fell on Dale’s cake squashing it. Dale happily won second place and used that cookbook all her life.
After a fall on New Year’s Eve, Dale moved to Fayetteville to live out her days with Michelle and her husband, Kirk. They had five beautiful and blessed months together.
Immediately feeling at home and loving the preaching, music and congregation, Dale and Michelle joined Central United Methodist Church together in early 2024.
Dale was proceeded in death by her husband, Charles M. Adcock, her parents, Bill and Ida Allen, and her in-laws, Buddy and Fannie Sue Adcock. She is survived by her son, Charles Allen Adcock, (Judy Drury) who passed away on May 29, 2024, daughter Michelle Adcock Place (Kirk), grandchildren: Laura Walker Place (Asiem Bhaskar), Courtney Adcock Decker (Chris), and Cody Adcock (Hailey), and great-grandchildren Leighton Lamb Decker and Brooks Christopher Decker. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Danny Adcock, and sister-in-law Sue Adcock Frueauff, along with five nieces and a nephew, all whom she dearly loved.
Dale’s service will be Friday, June 14th, 1:00 pm at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas. Please wear bright colors to the memorial service to honor Dale. Memorials may be made to Pulaski Heights Television and Music ministries or to the Arkansas Tech Foundation.
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