Harry Melvin Adams

Harry Melvin Adams Sr., 95, died Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008 at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. He was born March 6, 1913, in Belleville, Ill., to the late Thomas and May Adams. He was a retired farmer and a member of the Monette United Methodist Church. He served his country during World War II in the Navy and was a member of the VFW and Monette American Legion Post 136. He was a member of the Monette Masonic Lodge 558.

Surviving are his wife, Frankie Gipson Adams, of the home; a son and his wife, Harry Melvin and Patricia Adams Jr. of Monette; six grandchildren, Rebecca Graddy, Lela Adams, Harry Melvin "Bo" Adams III, Todd Gipson, Kris Gipson and Micah Browning; six great-grandchildren, Jordan Vaughn, Sarah Beth Vaughn, Emma Graddy, Ella Schlenker, Matthew Gipson and Carson Browning.

He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Lela Lou Gipson; three sisters and six brothers.

A celebration of his life was held at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, at the Monette United Methodist Church with Rev. Jerry Reed officiating. Burial followed in Monette Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Gregg Funeral Home in Monette.

Pallbearers were Bo Adams, Todd Gipson, Kris Gipson, Greg Graddy, Mike Browning and Colton Bryan. Honorary pallbearers were Jodie Brown, Claude Earl Barnett, Devane Baldridge, Gene Gathright, Bob Morris, Ralph Bley, Robert Flannigan Sr., Russell Strickland and Clifton Corter.

Lasting memorials may be sent to the Monette United Methodist Church.