Adelyn Foreman-Hock

Adelyn was born in New Orleans, LA and lived most of her life in Orlando, FL where she resided until her passing. She is survived by her husband Ray Hock, to whom she loved for over 50 years. She is also survived by 3 children, Rick Foreman, Michelle Bailey and Steve Foreman and predeceased by her son, Ron Foreman; survived by 5 grandchildren, Eric, Erika, Christine, Christopher and Brian and predeceased by her granddaughter Shawnalee; and survived by 2 great-grandchildren Ashlynn and Briauna.

A.D., as most referred to her, was a teacher, mentor and a woman of strength. She attended Louisiana State University and belonged to Alpha Xi Delta, a sorority of which she was a proud lifelong member. Many of her younger years were spent in Louisiana and Florida teaching History, Speech and English. She went on to direct pageants in the 1970s with Miss Hemisphere and soon thereafter started her own pageant, America’s Lil Darling, later to be called America’s Darling, a non-profit organization that donated all its profits to terminally ill children. Every America’s Darling pageant honored a Make-A-Wish king and queen to whom Adelyn granted all their wishes.

Not only did she produce and direct these pageants, A.D. had an eye for excellence, a heart of gold and took it upon herself to mentor and hone the talents and spirits of so many young men and women, including America’s Darling Ericka Dunlap who later went on to become Miss America 2004. Adelyn was well respected and honored in her professional life.

As a Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother and Friend, Adelyn never turned down a request for help. Whether it was to drive across town to give comfort to a friend or give some words of advice, she was always there for everyone no matter the time of day or night, especially if it was to meet up for a meal and ice cream. Just weeks before her last breath she said “I may not be able to do a lot of things anymore but I can still drive like hell!” And that she did, never letting anything stop her! Her new driver’s license arrived in the mail on her 92nd birthday just days before her passing.

Adelyn had a wonderful sense of humor and took life in stride despite her ailing physical health. Even when she felt at her worst, she still had something funny to say with smile and a chuckle along the way. Full of so much love and an inspiration to so many, Adelyn’s legacy and heart will never leave us. Everyone that crossed her path was better off as a result.

It is an honor to all that have known her and now our heartfelt wish is to continue sharing the lessons she taught us and carry on her legacy to be kind; be giving; be selfless and love everyone.