Charlene M. Adams

March 15, 1933 – December 20, 2025

Charlene Marie Adams (née Fells) was born in Kansas City, Kansas on March 15, 1933, to Lebron Arthur Fells and Retha Norman. She passed away peacefully of natural causes on December 20, 2025, in the Vandenberg Village community of Lompoc, California, where she lived around the corner from her eldest child.

Charlene’s earliest years contributed to the resilience, strength and steadiness that defined her life. She spent part of her childhood at the Children’s Home and Day Nursery, a setting wherein she experienced structure, order, and a sense of belonging. She later graduated from Sumner High School, where she served as a hall monitor and was remembered for her sweet personality and warm smile. In addition to being an excellent student, Charlene also enjoyed singing in the church choir, and carried her faith and love of learning and music with her throughout her life. As a child, she was particularly close to her Uncle Jack and Aunt Pearl, of whom she shared fond memories of good times in their home, as well as harrowing adventures visiting their farm in Ohio—where she bravely fed geese, ducks, and chickens, even though she was afraid.

In 1950, Charlene married Virgil Odis Lyday, and together they welcomed five beautiful children into the world: Sharon, Delisa, Veronica, Virgil Stanton, and Vincent. In 1961, Charlene made a courageous new start, leaving Kansas City and moving to Los Angeles with all five of her children. After staying briefly with relatives, she established a new home for her children in an apartment on Vernon Avenue near St. Andrews, beginning a new chapter rooted in determination, independence, and love.

Charlene worked hard to build a life of achievement and service. Upon arriving in Los Angeles, she was hired as a key-punch operator by the Southern California Gas Company in Downey. She later earned her real estate license and became an agent with NineHouse Realty, taking pride in helping families find the right home while navigating the realities of housing discrimination. She was also active in the International Toastmasters Club, where she developed her public speaking skills and used her voice to address issues related to women’s rights and equal opportunity, motivated by her belief that women deserved every chance to succeed. Even while actively devoted to her family, faith, career, and civic activities, Charlene somehow maintained a spotless and orderly home that was the pride and joy of the neighborhood.

After achieving an outstanding score on the Internal Revenue Service exam, Charlene’s career continued to progress. Following her start as a field agent, she continued to promote, ultimately achieving the position of supervising team case manager. As a supervisor, she was remembered by colleagues for her professionalism, fairness, and for contributing to the changes in hiring practices that expanded opportunities for new agents from diverse backgrounds.

Charlene gave her time and heart to others in many ways: as a Girl Scout troop leader, a dedicated church volunteer, a member of the Las Rosas Felices Club, and as a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She and her husband, Albert Marty Adams, were also deeply connected to New Hope Christian Church in Boonville, Missouri, the town where they built a home and a life that they treasured after marrying in 1994. Charlene and Albert shared a joyful marriage, and the family especially remembers the happiness she found with him traveling the country in retirement and the idyllic peace and tranquility of their lakeside home in Boonville.

Disciplined, organized, and generous, Charlene was a living testament to balancing curiosity and open-mindedness with Biblical values and common sense. She was a life-long learner who insisted on having the newspaper every day with her morning cup of black Folgers coffee. She enjoyed philately and numismatics, loved birds, and never turned down a good dessert after dinner. Family traditions and favorites included fish every Friday, her famous German chocolate cake, Honey Buns, and a perfectly prepared ham. She faithfully enjoyed Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune, loved plays and concerts, and read avidly—especially contemporary fiction. She laughed most when talking about her husband and family, unequivocally refused to use the internet or email, and cherished family dinners and togetherness.

Charlene will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband Albert, who preceded her in death on February 28, 2006. Charlene was also preceded in death by her son, Virgil Stanton Lyday; her siblings, Helen Bolden, Roseanne Brown, and Clarence Brown; and her great grandson, Drew Jerome Price.

Charlene is survived by four children: Sharon Swanigan (Lompoc, CA), Delisa Hill (Kansas City, KS), Veronica Lyday (San Jose, CA), and Vincent Lyday (Hawthorne, CA); by her grandchildren Charles, Wardell, Maurice, Maryann, Samantha, Shanale, Reece, Benae, Zethina, Brianna, Terri, Vincent, and Lebron; as well as dozens of great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters Loretta Brown and Marcia Brown, as well as extended family and friends who loved her dearly, including her best friend of 85 years, Irene Minor, and her close lifelong friend Rosalie Harrison. Charlene also leaves in loving memory her extended stepfamily, including Dr. Russell Adams and Mrs. Mary Adams.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., followed by the funeral service at 3:00 p.m., at Golden Gate Funeral & Cremation Services, 2800 East 18th St., Kansas City, Missouri. Additional information about the services, sending condolences, and paying tribute to Charlene is available at: https://www.kcgoldengate.com/obituaries/charlene-adams

.Charlene’s life was a testament to resilience, faith, and devotion to family. She will be remembered for her strength, her order and discipline, her generosity, and the love she poured into the lives of those around her.