Ft. Dodge - Vanessa Adams, 70, died March 22, 2025 at Kansas Soldiers Home at Ft. Dodge, Kansas. She was born on September 28, 1954 at Jeffersonville, Indiana the daughter of Ernest and Margaret (Fusco) Knowland.

She enjoyed reading, sewing, quilting and spending time with her dogs in her spare time. Mrs. Adams proudly served her country in the U.S. Marine Corp. from 1974-1978. She worked as a professor of History for several years at a college in Tennessee. She also worked as a Librarian as well.

She is survived by her daughter Sheshauna Hodges of Wichita; four sisters Pat Liddict of Charlestown, Indiana; Jean Sanford of Sellersburg, Indiana; Vicky Conlin of Jeffersonville, Indiana and Debra Youngblood of North Carolina.

She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers Ted Richardson, Michael Richardson, Freddy Richardson, Kenneth Richardson, two sisters Ellen Thompson, Jo Ann Isgrigg and one infant child.

Memorial service will be held at Kansas Veterans' Cemetery on Friday April 4, 2025 at 10:00 AM with full Military Rites by SWKS Veterans Funeral Honor Guard and the Marine Corp. Honor Guard. There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place.  Memorials are suggested to Donor's choice in care of the funeral home.  Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.