Feb. 1st, 1939 - Jan. 3, 2021

Lois Ann (Adams) Carson passed away Sunday, January 3rd, just under one month from her 82nd birthday. She was surrounded by her loving family.

Born on her father’s 40th birthday, Feb. 1, 1939, in the front room of the family farmhouse near Driftwood, Oklahoma, Lois was the youngest and only girl of five children. Her parents, Nina “Maude” (Morgan) and Ralph Hubert Adams, along with brothers Donald and Roger, preceded her in death.

The family moved from the farm to Winfield, Kansas when Lois was nine years old. She graduated from Winfield High School and later attended Southwestern College before meeting her husband of 61 years, Charles Edward Carson. When asked how Lois and “Charlie” met, she would jokingly say, “We worked in the same garage" leading others to presume she was a mechanic. (She actually did bookkeeping in the office.) She loved to tell the story of her mother exclaiming that, “Some boy had been calling her all day” and the story of their first date to the drive-in movie which she always called “the passion pit.” She had a mischievous and keen sense of humor, which matched with Charlie’s “antics” well. It only made sense for them to be together. They married August 23, 1959. 

Lois and Charlie lived their married life in Pittsburg, Kansas, Norfolk and Roanoke, Virginia, and the majority in the Kansas City Metro area—including Kansas City, Kansas, Overland Park, Olathe, and retirement in Gardner, Kansas.

As for vocations, before the birth of her children, Nancy and David, she worked at Hallmark Cards. She then began a 25 year career with State Farm Insurance working in agents’ offices. However, it was a job at a bakery in Pittsburg while Charles attended Pittsburg State University where she honed her baking skills and ignited a lifelong passion. Her baking was always a treat for family and friends who were frequently gifted with cookies, cakes, and candies. She was known for her carrot cake, lemon squares, pecan bars, snickerdoodles as well as a number of award-winners at the Johnson County Fairs, including “Reserve Grand Champion” several years in a row.  

Lois loved all sports, especially the Chiefs, and was a big Travis Kelce fan. She also followed Kansas Jayhawk basketball, Royals baseball, and the Pitt State Gorillas. Traveling to out of town games was something she frequently enjoyed. Friends and family marveled at her encyclopedia-like mind for all sports stats and figures. 

 Lois loved traveling and had been to all 50 states, plus Canada, Mexico, and the Panama Canal. Her favorite adventures were cruising to Alaska, traveling to Hawaii with friends, family vacations in the RV, and many Adams family reunions at the YMCA camp in Estes Park, Colorado.  She loved attending her Class of 1957 High School reunions and visiting lifelong friends and family as well.

Lois was a faithful member of Grace United Methodist Church in Olathe for almost fifty years. She was deeply involved in the United Methodist Women (UMW), holding leadership roles at the local, KC District, Kansas East Conference level, and beyond. She often took the lead in organizing large church dinners and wedding receptions. The UMW  “Sarah Fellowship” Circle and the all-female ensemble known as “Good Times” were her second family. She also acted in worship skits, sang in the Chancel and Celebration Choirs, and served on various committees over the years.  Women’s Missions were very important to Lois. She was heavily involved in “School of Christian Mission”, educating others about need. She even traveled on a mission trip herself to Mexico. The church and it’s community were very important to Lois.

 An avid bookworm, Lois loved to read and the number of books could fill a Library. She enjoyed puzzles and games, religiously watching shows such as “Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of Fortune”, playing right along. Holiday family gatherings were important to her, including hours of boardgames, sports-watching, delicious meals, and laughter.  She cherished her time with family. Lois was a loving mother who supported her children and grandchildren, attending every activity she could, including soccer, (which she coached), baseball/softball, basketball (which she played herself in high school), theater, forensics, debate, academic competitions, choir, band, orchestra, and other performances. She loved her four grandchildren more than anything and was a big part of their lives.

Until her 80th birthday, Lois had never had a “real" birthday party. What a joy it was for her to have over 60 friends and family (including “Elvis”!) help her celebrate!  She continued to talk of what a great event that was, and how fortunate that she could see so many loved ones together. 

 Lois is survived by her loving husband, Charles Edward Carson, of Gardner, Kansas; brothers John (and Mary) Adams of Branson, Missouri; Harold Adams of Westminster, California; daughter Nancy Carson of Overland Park, Kansas; son David (and Staci) Carson of Overland Park, Kansas; grandchildren: Jordan Larkin, (and Emily Wesley); Bailey Larkin, Hazel Carson, and Maya Larkin; as well as numerous beloved cousins, nieces and nephews. She will be missed by many and her legacy will live on through those who knew and loved her.

 A Memorial service at Grace United Methodist Church, Olathe, will be planned at a later date, due to Covid-19 pandemic safety, with interment in the Legett Memorial Gardens Columbariums at the YMCA of the Rockies camp in Estes Park, Colorado.

 The family requests memorial gifts be made to the following:                                                                         

Travis Kelce’s “Eighty-Seven and Running” Charity. www.87running.org (click donate, enter amount, then choose Lois Carson Memorial in the dropdown). Checks may be made out to “87 & Running”, and sent to same Attn: Aaron Eanes 19885 Detroit Rd Rocky River, OH 44116 

“The Dementia Society of America” www.DementiaSociety.org/donate or by mail to P.O. Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901  

Grace United Methodist Church, Olathe: 11485 S Ridgeview Rd, Olathe, KS 66061 (Please designate “Lois Carson Music Ministry Memorial Fund”)