Leona Paden Adams

Leona Paden Adams, 94, Route 4, Robinson, Illinois, passed away on Tuesday, December 22, 2015, at 5:30pm. Born in Hillsboro, Illinois, on May 11, 1921, she was the daughter of Lester Lewey Paden and Pearl Markel Paden. She married John Sidney Adams on June 27, 1948, and he preceded her in death on June 21, 2010. Leona attended Woodsboro Elementary, Hillsboro High, and earned degrees at Eastern Illinois University and Indiana State University. Early in her career, Mrs. Adams was a schoolteacher in Butler, Hillsboro, Humboldt and Decatur. She taught in New Hebron Grade School the first year it opened in 1953, and finally she taught in Robinson Lincoln transferring to Washington Grade School when it first opened in 1965. There she taught second grade for many years before retiring. Along with her husband, she raised and sold tomatoes and Christmas trees on their family farm south of Robinson. A member of Zion United Methodist Church, Leona loved to sing and teach Sunday school. She was also an excellent seamstress. Survivors include two daughters Jane and Dick Drake, Nancy and Tony Carter all of Robinson, and one son Scott Adams of Plano, Texas. She also had four grandchildren Tracey and Mike Hargis, Joel Carter, Brady and Talesa Carter, and Adam and Melissa Carter. Leona had seven great-grandchildren Lillie and Mia Hargis, Claire, Eliza and Madelin Carter, and Aubrianna and Austin Carter. She also had two step-grandchildren James Drake, Chesterfield, Missouri, and Stacey Drake Wise, Edwardsville, Illinois, and their families. After retiring from teaching, Leona Adams was also a member of the Lincoln Trail Singing Seniors, the Red Hats, Ladies' Home Extension and the Quilters Club. A time of visitation will be at held at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Monday evening, December 28th, and a celebration of life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday morning, December 29th, also at the funeral home with Celebrant Curt Goodwine officiating. Burial will be in the Richart Cemetery, south of Zion United Methodist Church. Honorariums may be made to Zion Church or Washington Grade School library.