Melba Adams

Melba King Adams, age 91, of Fayetteville peacefully passed away Monday, April 10, 2017 at Jamestown Nursing Home in Rogers. She was born Oct. 19, 1925 in Elkins to Adolph and Myrtle Clark King and was a lifelong resident of Northwest Arkansas. Despite being raised during the hardship of the depression, our Boppy had a very happy childhood in Elkins. Surrounded by a passel of beloved cousins, siblings, and country friends. She enjoyed many grand adventures which were often retold in later years with delight and perhaps the slightest hint of embellishment to her enraptured listeners. As she matured, her quick wit and striking beauty was undeniable, turning the heads of many a young man, not the least of which was a handsome marine who just happened to be home on leave from the war in the Pacific. After a whirlwind three week courtship, she eloped with our Papaw, Ward K. Adams, on April 3, 1944, a seemingly rash decision that resulting in a loving union that would last over 70 years until Ward's death in May of 2014. Boppy had many varied talents and interests throughout her life. She had the magic touch when it came to growing flowers. She enjoyed fishing for crappie in the spring at Pinhook, quick jaunts to the Missouri line for scratch off tickets, and frequent trips with Ward to Hot Springs during racing season. Her ability to handicap race horses was legendary and quite profitable. She had a beautiful singing voice and enjoyed hosting Saturday night music parties or card games with friends at her home. She prided herself in being an active Senior Democrat and championing for women's equality. She was quite pleased that she was able to live long enough to vote for a woman for President and equally discouraged that it didn't happen years ago. She made many beautiful quilts, was a voracious reader, and was one of the best cooks in town, widely celebrated for her pies with the amazingly flaky crust. Boppy loved fiercely, argued vehemently, laughed heartily, and lived passionately. She was epic and we will miss her. She is survived by her three handsome sons and their beautiful wives; David and Holly of Frederick, Colo., Gil and Judi of Tulsa, Okla., and Marty and Pam of Iowa City, Iowa. She is also survived by her loving daughter, Kay and her husband Terry Weiderhaft of Rogers as well as her two brothers; Harold King of Troy, Michigan and Gary King and wife Mary of Springdale, Ark., and her sister, Jane and husband Wilton Bonnell of Fayetteville. Boppy leaves behind her much-loved nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren all of whom she is convinced will rule the world. The family would like to thank the caretakers at Jamestown Nursing Home in Rogers for their Loving end of life care. The family would especially like to acknowledge the devotion, love, and support provided to both Miss Melba and Mr Ward by Miguel and Elba Martinez for the last tenYears. "Tu Familia es nuestra familia" Visitation will be 5–7 p.m. Monday April 17, 2017 at Moore's Chapel. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at Moore's Chapel with burial to follow at Fairview Memorial Gardens in Fayetteville. Memorials contributions may be made to Heifer International, 1 World Ave., Little Rock, Ark. 72202, or Circle of Life, 901 Jones Road, Springdale, Ark. 72762. To place an online tribute visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.