Melvadean Adams

Melvadean Kiefer Adams died peacefully in her sleep Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009, in Fort Myers, Fla., following a major stroke a few days earlier.

She was born April 8, 1921, in Ste. Genevieve, Mo., to Melvin and Lola Conardy.

She was a 1940 graduate of Valle High School where she was a member of the volleyball team.

Melvadean married William P. Kiefer in 1942 and to this union were born three daughters, all of whom survive: Brenda Kiefer of Benton, Ill., Patricia (Timothy) Schwent of Jackson, Debra (Michael) Nelson of Cape Coral, Fla.; her younger sister, Patricia (Ray) Friedman; three grandchildren, Nicole (Darren) Schwent Allcock of Columbia, Mo., William Schwent of Clayton, Mo., Michael Nelson of Cape Coral; and two great-grandchildren, Luke and Matthew Allcock of Columbia.

Bill Kiefer retired as president of the Bank of Bloomsdale in 1985 and predeceased Melvadean in 1989. In 1998 Melvadean married Rusby Adams of Jackson, father of Blaine Adams of Jackson and Rusty Adams of Columbus, Ohio. Rusby Adams predeceased Melvadean in 2006.

Melvadean was a talented piano player who performed with several local musicians, notably the Herb Kist Band. She was the manager of and pianist for the popular all-female country music band, Brenda Kiefer & the Swingtones for more than 30 years.

Melvadean's daughter, Brenda, was the vocalist, bass player and headliner of the group. Brenda and Melvadean provided Saturday morning entertainment on KSGM Radio during much of the 1950s and 1960s. The Swingtones also included her other two daughters Patricia (sax) and Debra (trumpet) and her sister Patricia (drums).

The Swingtones entertained to sellout dance crowds over most of Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois. Melvadean delighted in telling of the band's guest performance in front of Country and Pop Music Legend "Boots" Randolph at his Carousel Club in Nashville, Tenn.

Melvadean lived to be on the dance floor. After 50 years of performing for dancers, she turned her energy to cutting the rug herself. No one danced a country two step better or enjoyed it more than Melvadean. She and second husband, Rusby Adams, could be found on the dance floor anywhere an old time country band was playing from Jackson to Ste. Genevieve.

She was extremely proud of her three grandchildren and for the past two years reveled over her two new great-grandsons.

Visitation will be from noon to service time Thursday at Ste. Genevieve Catholic Church.

Funeral Mass will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at the church. Burial will be in Valle Springs Cemetery in Ste. Genevieve.