She was born on June 7, 1931 in Yucaipa, CA, to parents Paul Leicester and Florence Elsie (McNair) Barker. She often spoke fondly of her earliest years being raised with her maternal grandparents near Yucaipa, visiting her Uncle and Aunt’s orange grove, and climbing up the trees with her cousins to eat the oranges right off the top. She was the beloved eldest sister to Clarence, Dorothy and LaVina Barker.
Her family relocated to Warsaw, MO, where she graduated high school in 1949. She was joined in marriage to William ‘Bill’ McGinnis on July 23, 1949, and they were blessed with six children. Being a mother, a grandmother, and a great-grandmother were the roles she cherished most in life. She worked at a drive-in diner in her younger years and re-entered the workforce after her children were grown; first with the Sugar Creek School District and then as a Home Health Aide.
Adora was an accomplished cook, and she regularly fielded calls from her friends and family on her various stand out recipes. From her knockout chili recipe perfected at the drive-in diner she worked at in California, the best tasting pie crust ever to be made, the extra special Barbie birthday cakes and Christmas cookie decorating with her grandchildren, a sweet potato casserole for which we’d fight over the leftovers, or the ‘pink stuff’ that was always a favorite at family functions, she baked a little bit of love in everything she touched that will never be replicated and will forever be missed.
She was preceded in death by her husband Bill on October 20, 2011, as well as her beloved grandparents, parents, three younger siblings, and one great granddaughter.
Survivors include a daughter, Jeannette (George) Jones; and sons, Mike McGinnis, Tim (Sarah) McGinnis, Rod McGinnis, Russell (LaTisha) McGinnis, and Mark McGinnis; 14 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren (with two more on the way), and numerous extended family and friends.
Once you were a part of her family, you were always part of her family. She was the matriarch to so many, yet each of them had their own special relationship with her. From the oldest, to the only, to the tiniest of little ones, and everyone in between, she regularly invested in the lives of her family and they in turn all adored her. She was a wonderful conversationalist, told the best stories, gave the warmest hugs, and always had a listening ear. She leaves a legacy of love and kindness, grace and gentleness. There is a sacredness in our tears and while we long to see her beautiful smile again, we rejoice that she is dancing in the arms of her sweet Savior.
Services will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2019, from 1:00pm to 4:00pm at Newcomer’s White Chapel in Gladstone, MO, with interment to follow at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family in care of Newcomer’s White Funeral Home, 6600 NE Antioch Rd, Gladstone, MO 64119.
