Violet Leona Adams, 86, of Kiowa, died Monday, October 8, 2012, at her daughter's home in Mannford, OK after a courageous twelve month battle against brain cancer. Born February 14, 1926, in Blanco, she was the daughter of Harlan Joel "Jack" Cates and Emma Bertie (Williams) Cates. In her early childhood she lived in Blanco, McAlester, Red Oak, Panola, and the Rocky Point community near Wilburton. She attended elementary schools in McAlester (5th ward), Red Oak, Panola and Blanco; middle school in Blanco; and high school in Pittsburg. All through her life her quest for learning was never extinguished. She married Don Edward Adams, of Kiowa, on January 20, 1948, in Fort Smith, Arkansas. They were married 45 years at the time of her husband's death in 1993. She had lived in Kiowa all her adult life. In 1973, with a government service level of Ordnanceman, she retired from the McAlester Naval Ammunition Depot on a medical disability. She was an avid reader and writer, book collector, and loved to research and write about family genealogy. She attended the Kiowa Senior Citizens Center daily to visit with her cherished friends, both new and lifelong. In her younger years, she loved to paint and draw. She was a member of Kiowa First Baptist Church. Survivors include a daughter, Toni Adams and husband, Rick, of Mannford; sons, Don Adams II and wife, Wanda, Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Randy Adams and wife, Ruby, Plano, Texas; sister, Letha Covey, of McAlester; brothers, Bill Cates and wife, Rita, Lancaster, Texas, and Roger Cates and wife, Linda, Ypsilanti, Michigan; four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Sharon Kay Adams; her husband, Don E. Adams; and a brother, Albert "A.C." Cates. Pallbearers will be Bill Cates Jr., Michael Cates, Mike Hall, Scott Hall, Mike Sexton, and Paul Adams Jr. Honorary pallbearers will be Buzz and Melva Henry, Bill and Billie Jo Hensley, Wayne Sexton, Cecil Herron, Genice Mabray, Johnnie Patty, Wanda Graham and her cherished friends at the Kiowa Senior Citizens Center and Kiowa First Baptist Church. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Kiowa Senior Citizens Center and the Kiowa First Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, October 11 at Bishop Funeral Service. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, October 12 at Bishop Funeral Service Chapel with Reverend Dennis Piearcy of Kiowa First Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be at Kiowa Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Bishop Funeral Service of McAlester.