Mary Ellen Adams

Memorial services for Mary Adams will be held on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 11:00am in the Inola Funeral Home Chapel. Mary passed away on Friday, January 2, 2026, at the age of 91.

Mary Ellen Adams was born on July 5, 1934, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to George Franklin Shrier and Annie Catherine (Hammett) Shrier. She grew up in Tulsa and graduated from Monte Cassino. She later earned her associate degree from Tulsa Community College.

Mary spent her entire professional career in banking. She worked her way up to cashier, serving at several banks in Tulsa and Oklahoma City over the years. Her dedication and work ethic were evident throughout her career.

Much of Mary’s time was spent on her parents’ farm in Inola, where her grandparents also lived. Her parents ran cattle on their ranch, and Mary developed a love for the rural life. She continued that lifestyle, and enjoyed working around her property.

Mary enjoyed gardening, reading, and especially traveling. She took many trips around the world, but her favorite destination was the Outer Banks of North Carolina, where her Hammett family gathered each year. For her 86th birthday, Mary and a close friend celebrated with a riverboat cruise through Europe, creating memories she cherished.

Mary had a strong commitment to service and volunteered at the Linnaeus Garden at Woodward Park and with ESA, an international service group, which gave back generously to the Inola community. Mary was blessed with a large circle of close friends and greatly enjoyed the time she spent with them.

An avid sports fan, Mary cheered on the Oklahoma Sooners and the Oklahoma City Thunder. She was also a season ticket holder for the Tulsa Ballet and the Tulsa Philharmonic, reflecting her love for the arts.

Mary’s faith was the most important part of her life and guided her in all she did.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Wilton "Chick" Adams and her brother, George Shrier.

Mary is survived by her sons, John Nixon and wife Jackie, and Jeff Nixon; her grandson, Evan Nixon and wife Katie; great-grandchildren, Clark and Frank Nixon; sister, Rosie Jones; her stepson, Allen Adams; her stepdaughter, Lee Ann Davenport and husband Galen, and their son, Keegan Davenport; nephews Tim Shrier, Patrick Shrier, Chris Shrier, Robert Shrier, Mike Kroeger, Phil Kroeger, and Dave Kroeger; and niece Lisa Cole. She is also survived by her special Hammett family in West Virginia.