Nina Carole Adams

Nina Carole Adams, a wonderful soul known for her unwavering honesty and nurturing spirit, passed away peacefully on May 8, 2026, in Topeka, Kansas. Born on March 7, 1947, in Cherokee, Alabama, Nina's life was a testament to strength, compassion, and resilience.

From a young age, Nina's ambition and straightforward nature set her apart. Graduating from Highland Park High School in 1965, she pursued her passion for nursing with steadfast determination, completing technical school around 1988. Her career as a Licensed Practical Nurse spanned over 35 years, marked by dedication and an earnest desire to care for others. Beyond her nursing role, Nina contributed to the community through her work at The Greenhouse in Valley Falls and Rees Fruit Farm, places where her nurturing demeanor blossomed alongside her love for the earth and its bounty.

Nina was renowned for her brutal honesty—she spoke her mind fearlessly, with no filter. Yet beneath that direct exterior was a heart that welcomed all, offering second chances and the benefit of the doubt to everyone she met. To many, she was a mother figure, always ready with a kind word, a helping hand, or even the shirt off her back. Her confidence and inspiring spirit were constant reminders to those around her never to give up.

Her passions extended beyond her professional and personal relationships. Nina had a profound love for animals, particularly her beloved pitbulls, with whom she shared a special bond. Gardening brought her peace and joy, a quiet sanctuary where she could nurture life just as she did the people around her. In the kitchen, she expressed her love through cooking, delighting in dishes like eggs on toast, burritos, and enchiladas—meals made with the same care she poured into every aspect of her life.

Nina's family was the cornerstone of her world. She is lovingly survived by her sons, Greg Adams and Brandon Smelser, alongside their wives, Lisa and Megan. Her grandchildren—Casey Adams, Cheyenne Fry, Victoria Smelser, Braydon Smelser, Jeremiah Smelser, Alexis Smelser, Payton Stilley, Sean Sloop, Kaylee Sloop, Curtis Sloop, Krystal Adams, and Jacob (Autumn Liska) Dunn—carried forward her legacy of strength and compassion. She also treasured her great-grandchildren: Grayson Dunn, Bryson Manrose, Tatum DeVries, Misty DeVries, Layla Fry, and Kayah Fry, who brought her immeasurable joy. Her sister, Karen Moore, remains a close familial bond, as do several other family members and cherished friends who held a special place in Nina's heart.

Nina was preceded in death by her mother, Rebecca Robinson; father, Pete Newburn; daughter, Ninette Schultz; grandchild, Brett Joynt; and sister, Jean Glenn. Their memories live on in the stories shared and the love that continues to surround her family.

Nina Carole Adams’s life was a tapestry woven with honesty, love, and unwavering dedication. Her nurturing soul, straightforward wisdom, and fierce loyalty will be deeply missed but forever remembered by all who were fortunate to know her. In celebrating her life, we hold tight to her inspiring creed: never give up.

Cremation is planned, and a memorial service to honor Nina's life will take place at 2:00pm Thursday June 11, 2026 at Penwell Gabel Funeral Home, located at 1321 SW 10th Ave in Topeka, Kansas 66604.

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