Vernell Adelmann, age 95, passed from this life peacefully in her sleep in the early morning hours of September 3, 2018. Born Georgia Vernell Ball June 16, 1923 to Nannie and George Ball in Raven, Virginia, she was the youngest of seven children—five girls and two boys. Vernell grew up on the family farm and continued to live there with her husband Lloyd Absher and son Howard William. After leaving Richlands, Vernell met and married Harold Sadler. They lived in northern Virginia for 20 years before moving to Texas to be closer to Howard and his family. After Harold’s death, she married Herbert Phelan. They only had two years together when he succumbed to cancer. When Vernell was 80 years old, she met and married Louis Adelmann, the true love of her life. They were together over 13 years when Lou died suddenly from pneumonia in January 2018.
Vernell enjoyed her senior years and remained active well into her 80’s. In her 50’s she jogged in her neighborhood five mornings a week before jogging was in vogue, and in her 60’s and 70’s she was a regular at the gym four mornings a week for step aerobics. In her 80’s the treadmill and weights were her exercise of choice at the local YMCA. She and Lou would be there when the doors opened at 6 AM.
In addition to working out, her greatest passions were ballroom dancing and her faith. She loved dressing up for Saturday night dances at various senior centers in the Dallas area, and then getting up Sunday morning for the earliest church service. Vernell was a founding member of Stonebriar Community Church, where Chuck Swindoll is Pastor. After complications from aortic valve surgery, Vernell was forced to stop most of the physical activities she loved. However, one activity remained—church on Sunday mornings. When Lou could no longer drive, her faithful and loving friend Fran Busby would pick them up for church, and then take them back to their senior community where all three would enjoy Sunday Brunch together. It was just in the last year that Vernell was no longer able to attend church.
Friends and family will miss her beautiful smile and famous greeting of “Hi Sweets!” She was proud of the fact that she had never lost a tooth and never had a cavity! Her famous greeting was actually a clever cover-up for her forgetfulness of people’s names.
Vernell is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Howard and Lori Absher; her granddaughter, Terese Underwood; and great-granddaughter, Kaitlin Underwood.
Howard and Lori wish to express their profound gratitude to the staff and caregivers of The Legacy at Willow Bend Assisted Living as well as to Vitas Hospice. These special people took gentle and compassionate care of Vernell in her last months of life. She loved them dearly.
Vernell’s wishes were for burial near her mother and father in the Ball Family Cemetery located in Raven, Virginia. The date of a graveside service and burial is still pending. Arrangements are being made through Hurst Scott, Richlands, Virginia.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her memory to The American Heart Association or to the charity of your choice.