Menu
Keith Adams
LILBOURN, Mo. — Keith Jerome Adams, born on Nov. 1, 1963, in Lilbourn, Missouri, passed away on July 30, 2024, at his home, surrounded by his wife, son, and family after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Keith grew up in a large, loving family and enjoyed the camaraderie and fun that came with having many siblings, memories of the family growing up in North Lilbourn Projects were often reminisced and retold in his later years. As a young boy he enjoyed being a member of the Little Beginners, singing at the Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church. It was there at age 12, along with his brother Donnell, that Keith accepted Jesus Christ as his savior. Keith graduated from New Madrid County Central High School in 1982, where he played basketball and was class president his senior year. He went on to attend Southeast Missouri State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree. During his college years, Keith served as an athletic trainer and met the love of his life, Gretchen Kean. They married on July 24, 1993, and after their wedding, the happy couple was blessed with the arrival of a precious baby boy, Kieran. Keith took great pride in his son’s academic achievements, especially when he earned his master’s degree.
Keith worked for FedEx for 18 years before discovering his true calling as a teacher. From then on, he dedicated himself to educating fifth- and sixth-grade students at Cape Girardeau Middle School, where his passion and innovative methods made a significant impact on many young lives. Mr. Adams was a staple of the school community and will be deeply missed by his students and faculty peers.
In addition to his civilian career, Keith served with distinction in the Army National Guard for 21 years, achieving the rank of Captain. His commitment to serving his country was evident in his many years of dedicated service.
Outside of work, Keith was a grill master who loved to have a good time bringing everyone he loved together while he cooked, grilled and then shared those meals with family and friends. He had a passion for gardening and canning, following in his mother’s footsteps. Keith really enjoyed fishing with his brothers, neighbor and friends or spending quality time with his wife and son. Keith's life was marked by his love for family and friends, dedication to service, and passion for teaching.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Hollie and Mary Alice, Adams; his sister, Rosie Lee Adams; and brother, James Adams; his father-in-law, James Kean; brothers-in-law, Daniel Freeman, Dennis Kean, Aaron Kean; and sister-in-law, Sherry Messer.
Keith leaves his devoted wife of 31 years, Gretchen Lynn (Kean) Adams; one son, Kieran James Adams of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; three loving sisters, Clara Hill, Bettie Hobbs and Phyllis Adams of Chicago, Illinois; five brothers: Sam (Josella) Adams of Cape Girardeau, Eugene(Janice) Adams of Chicago, Russell (Patricia) Adams of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, John Adams Sr. of Stone Mountain, Georgia, and Donnell Adams of Keanu, Hawaii; His mother-in-law Katherine Kean of Epworth, Iowa; and sisters-in-law Johnna Norpel of Richfield, Minnesota, Roxanne (Jeff) Simon of Farley, Iowa, Rose (Alan) McQuillen of Peosta, Iowa, Cindy (Phil) Cook of Dubuque, Iowa, and Denise Freeman of Cascade, Iowa. He will also be remembered by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.
Immortality is achieved when your life is worth remembering. Keith’s memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
Visitation for Keith will be held on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, from 10 am until the funeral hour of noon at Greater Dimension Ministries in Cape Girardeau with Pastor Olevia Smith officiating.
Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery in New Madrid, Missouri, one hour south of Cape Girardeau at 2:30 p.m. with full military honors. The family is honoring Keith with a Repast dinner at the Marston Community Center located at 199 Mitchell St. in Marston, Missouri.