It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Paula Mae Orf, 75, Bakersfield, Missouri, who went to her eternal home on March 29, 2026, at Baxter Regional Hospital in Mountain Home, Arkansas.
Paula was born September 13, 1950, in Lakeland, Florida, to the late Paul T. Adams and Gladys Smith Adams.
Paula was united in marriage to Jerry Lee Orf on October 27, 1966, in Polk City, Florida, and enjoyed nearly 60 years of blessed marriage.
She is survived by her husband, Jerry Lee Orf, Bakersfield, Missouri; four children, Jerry Lee Orf II and wife Tronnia, Mansfield, Missouri, Kimberly Dillinger and husband Michael, Pomona, Missouri, Kelly Fowler and husband Randy, Bakersfield, Missouri, and Kevin Orf, Bakersfield, Missouri; one brother, Payton Adams, Jacksonville, Florida; ten grandchildren, Brittany Neal and husband Joseph, Mansfield, Missouri, Rebekah Gray and husband Christian, Mansfield, Missouri, Kyle Dillinger and wife Cassie, West Plains, Missouri, Jonathan Dillinger and wife Alicia, West Plains, Missouri, Tiffany Eagleman and husband Darrick, Caulfield, Missouri, Jeremy Fowler, Caulfield, Missouri, Nathan Fowler and wife Andrea, Moody, Missouri, Zachary Fowler and wife Sarah, Bakersfield, Missouri, Shaylee Orf, Bakersfield, Missouri, and Jolleah Orf, Bakersfield, Missouri; fourteen great grandchildren, Brantley Neal, Paisley Neal, Sophia Neal, and Harper Neal, all of Mansfield, Missouri, Malachi Gray, Evelyn-Katherine Gray, and Micah Lee Gray, all of Mansfield, Missouri, Hunter Eagleman and Sawyer Eagleman, both of Caulfield, Missouri, Riley Rae Dillinger, Ember Dillinger, and Theodore Dillinger, all of West Plains, Missouri, also one more baby Dillinger on the way, and Josiah Fowler and Saide Fowler, both of Caulfield, Missouri.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul T. and Gladys “Smith” Adams; one brother Theodore Adams and one sister, Connie Sue Adams.
She enjoyed sewing, knitting, crocheting, gardening, and preserving food. Though she dearly missed her family, beaches, and seafood of her native Florida, she chose to build a strong family in Ozark County, Missouri.
Polly loved her family beyond measure and lived a life of selfless sacrifice. She will be deeply missed.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at Carter Funeral Home Chapel in West Plains, Missouri. Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Burial will be held at Udall Price Cemetery, Ozark, County, Missouri, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains, Missouri.
