Ewell Adams

Ewell Adams was born September 30, 1932 in Rotan, Texas, to the late Lena Polk Adams and James Willis Adams. At the age of 9, he asked Jesus into his heart with his training coming from being a part of Royal Ambassadors and growing up at the First Baptist Church. The family moved to Abilene, Texas when he was a sophomore in high school so his older sisters and brother could attend Hardin Simmons University. His senior year of high school, he joined the Navy and served four years from 1951 to 1955. He was stationed in Kingsville, Texas, where he met and married his first wife, the late Lois Hope Groves. They were married in 1953. The last 14 months of his Navy career was off the coast of Bremerton, Washington on the USS Hancock Aircraft Carrier.

After serving in the Navy, he moved back to Abilene, Texas and attended college on the GI Bill at Hardin Simmons. Ewell graduated with a BBA in 1960 and began working for Conoco, Inc. He and the family lived in Louisiana, Alabama, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas during his 33 year career with Conoco.

Ewell married Katherine Jones Barger in 1970 and has shared 46 years of a blessed and wonderful marriage. He retired from Conoco in March 1993 and moved to Sallisaw, Oklahoma. During his retirement years he served as Deacon at Immanuel Baptist Church and enjoyed playing golf at Shadow Creek. He and Kathy were volunteers with the Red Cross for several years. After being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2011, it was decided to downsize and move to Fort Smith to be near family. Since June 2015, he has been a resident at Chapel Ridge Health and Rehab in Fort Smith. The family wishes to thank the CNA’s, staff and nurses at Chapel Ridge for the care they have provided for these past 19 months. We would also like to say thank you to Peachtree Hospice.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy; their children, daughter, Cindy and husband Mike Sowards of Georgetown, Texas, daughter, Aundra and husband Rob Edwards of McKinney, Texas, daughter, Sharon Adams of Lewisville, Texas; son, Duane Barger of Aurora, Colorado and son, David and wife Melinda Adams of Fort Smith; their grandchildren, Trey Edwards, Sam and wife Eilzabeth Sowards, Kathryn and husband Ben Alexander, Peter Sowards, Paul Edwards, Chelsea Powell, Gracie Edwards, Jacob Barger, Ethan Powell, Gabi Barger, Mason Adams and Kamryn Adams; as well as their great grandchildren, M’Kenzie Bonnette, Meredith Sowards and Beckett Sowards.

Ewell was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife; a brother, James “Sonny” Adams; two sisters, Merlyn Watson and Beth Tucek; and a granddaughter, Meredith Sowards.

Funeral services will be 10:30 am Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at Grand Avenue Baptist Church with burial following at U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith. The family will greet friends from 5:00 to 7:00 pm Monday, December 26, 2016 at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel. Services are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, Oklahoma and Arkansas Chapter, Inc., Western Arkansas Regional Center, 2408 South 51st Court, Suite F, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72903. To sign an online guestbook, visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com