Norma Irene Cook died peacefully at her home in Midland, Texas, surrounded by her family on April 29, 2024.
She loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and raised her family in the Christian faith. Norma was born on August 22, 1929 to the late Marie (Russell) Everhart and Emerson Russell, and she spent her childhood years on a western Kansas wheat farm called “Twin Mills” near Scott City.
Norma married the late John Cook, the love of her life, in August 1947, and she is survived by her four grown children: Gloria Jean Lesher and her husband William Dearing; John Emerson Cook and his wife Jan Cook; Cheryl Lee Brown and her husband Chris Brown; and Dianne Marie Cook; as well as eight grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Norma is also survived by a younger sister, Doris Raleigh.
Norma passed on tales to her offspring about life on the farm and the gamble her dad faced each year when he planted the wheat crop, since “dry land farming” depended on rain, but a hail storm could also destroy the whole crop. Norma became an outstanding cook, and wrote in her memoir, “I was elected to teach friends the art of getting a live chicken to the dinner table.” She was also an excellent seamstress, an avid reader, and enjoyed working crossword puzzles.
Norma served as office manager at both Greentree Country Club and Ranchland Hills Country Club in Midland before her retirement. She was a small but strong pillar of her family who lived a great life.
A service celebrating Norma’s life will be held at Midland’s First Presbyterian Church on Friday, May 3.
Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.
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