Mary Anne (Reed) Adams was born October 22, 1934, to Albert Louis and Geraldine (Page) Reed in Rich Hill, MO. She rode her pony “Antone” to Arthur School where she attended first and second grades. She started third grade at Metz, Mo., and graduated from Metz High School in 1952 as salutatorian of her class. She was employed by Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. in Nevada from May to September 1952.
On September 6, 1952, she was married to Donald Adams. They lived in Kansas City and she worked for Western Insurance Co. Daughter Deborah Dianne was born July 30, 1953. Donnie was drafted into the U.S. Army in October 1954, spent six weeks in Killeen, Texas, and then 14 months in Fairbanks, Alaska, where he was stationed. Mary Anne worked for Alaska Communications System from July 1955 to July 1956. After Donnie’s discharge in August 1956, they returned to Rich Hill and started farming. Son David Eugene was born January 20, 1958.
In 1961 Mary Anne began working for Metz Banking Co. mostly during the summers for employee’s vacations. They also raised two nieces, Tammy Lorene Kurtz and Karol Kalene Adams. After Donnie’s death in 1978 she worked for Rich Hill City Hall. She returned to Metz Banking Co. in 1979, retiring in 1992. She was baptized in 1964 at the Rich Hill Christian Church.
In 1982 she married Jim Seagraves and after their retirement, they lived at Pomme de Terre Lake for 15 years, where she was active in the VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post 9638, Golf Club, ceramics class, Hickory County Line Dancers and Hermitage Christian Church. they enjoyed traveling in their RV and spent six winters at Good Life Resort in Mesa, Arizona. The marriage ended in 2006.
She returned to live in Nevada, Mo., in 2007 where she spent time with family and especially enjoyed her great-grandchildren, “the lights of her life,” Josie, Emmett and Julette Liles, Leah, Harper and Ryli Balk and Benson and Brielle Anwander.
She was preceded in death by husband Donald E. Adams, niece Judith Anne Cole, parents Albert and Geraldine Reed and brother Larry W. Reed.
Survivors include Debbie and Larry Balk, Dave and Shelly Adams, Tammy and Gary Kurtz and Karol Adams; 8 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; brother Tommy Reed and wife Colleen, sister Patty Sue Cole of Russellville, Ark., several nieces and nephew.
Funeral Service will be held at 11 am, Saturday, August 5, 2023 at the Rich Hill Christian Church. Visitation will be from 10 am until service time. Burial will follow at the Green Lawn Cemetery. Contributions are suggested to McGennis Youth Center/Christian Church and may be sent in care of Heuser Funeral Home P.O. Box 42 Rich Hill, MO 64779.
