Kayla Leigh Elizabeth Adams, 27, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away unexpectedly, Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at her home.

The daughter of Daryl Dwayne and Dora Kay (Simmons) Eitel, she was born September 28, 1995 in Overland Park, Kansas.

Kayla is survived by her father, Daryl Adams and wife Misty of Fulton, KS; her mother, Dora Eitel of Kirksville, MO; grandparents, Sharon Hampton of Belton, MO, and Arlene Adams of Fulton, KS; five brothers, Destin Gregory of Belton, MO, Joshua Gregory of Kirksville, MO, Kelsey Adams of Redfield, KS, and Nathaniel Adams and Jacob Adams both of Fulton, KS; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Brittney and Kevin McPeak, and Sierra Eitel all of Kirksville, MO; three uncles, Jeff Simmons (Teresa) of Lake of the Ozark, T. Anthony (Jeannie) Simmons of Lone Jack, MO, Michael (Jaymee) Hampton of Raymore, MO; aunt, Laurie (Max) Daly of Fulton, KS, and many very loved cousins, nieces and nephews who she absolutely adored.

She was preceded in death by her Paternal Grandfather, Robert Adams and Maternal Grandfather, H. James Simmons.

Kayla was a graduate of Kirksville High School with the Class of 2014. She attended the University of Missouri Kansas City from 2014 to 2015 and then attended Moberly Area Community College from 2015 to 2016. Kayla worked for Tommy Bahama in Kansas City, MO and later transferred to Tommy Bahama at Miramar Beach, FL. She also worked part time at the Shard Shop in Miramar Beach, FL teaching others her love of glass shard art. Kayla’s love for travel ultimately led her to the skies and she realized her dream to become a flight attendant for PSA Airlines and American Airlines, with whom she was last employed.

She enjoyed cooking, traveling, painting and going to the beach, she had a great love for her cats, Bruno and Tom-Tom but most of all she cherished her time with family and friends.

Kayla receive a heart transplant May 6, 2013 and cherished her gift every day. A note from Kayla; “This transplant has given me a life I never would have thought I could have. It has given me opportunities, experiences, life lessons, laughter, joy, love, sadness, and challenges. The last ten years have been such a blessing. I have moved to new places and experienced life in so many new ways. I have had the most incredible time at the places I’ve been and worked and love the people I have met along the way. I will cherish and carry these memories with me.” - April 14th, 2023

Visitation will begin at 1:00 pm and services will be held 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, with Carrie Todd presiding. Cremation will follow the service.

Honorary pallbearers will be Destin Gregory, Joshua Gregory, Kelsey Adams, Nathaniel Adams, Jacob Adams and Kevin McPeak.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to her mother, Dora Eitel and may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.