Norma Jean Jeffreys, 89, passed away peacefully on September 27 from kidney cancer.
Norma was born to Harold and Joy (Carrell) Wallin on November 25, 1934 in China, Missouri. She was raised in the South Fork area where she attended 1st-8th grade taking second and third grade in the same year. She graduated from West Plains High School in 1951 at the age of 16. After high school, she attended and graduated from Springfield Draughon Business University in Springfield, Missouri. Her education led her to her first job at Beech Aircraft in Wichita, Kansas, where she worked in the office for six years.
In 1958, she returned to Missouri with her husband, Leo Holmes, the father of her two sons. They purchased a Ford automobile dealership in Mansfield, Missouri and ran the business together (Holmes Ford) until 1980.
Norma was a loving, Godly mother who lived her life by example. She was always quick to say she had two sons and two daughters-in-law that she loved dearly, Randy and his wife Kim of Little Elm, Texas and Gary and his wife Pam of Midlothian, Texas.
Norma spent the majority of her life living in Mansfield, Missouri. After running the Ford Agency, Norma used her accounting skills at the Wright County Courthouse working in the Circuit Clerk’s Office for 19 years. Although she retired in 1999, she continued to do temporary work throughout circuit clerk offices in Southwest Missouri for several years.
Norma was very active in the Mansfield First Assembly of God Church and taught Sunday School for over 50 years. Norma met her second husband, Jim Jeffreys, at Mansfield Assembly and they married in 1985. Jim preceded her in death in May of 2023. After Jim’s passing, Norma moved to Texas to be closer to her boys and their families. Norma was a wonderful grandma. Her grandchildren loved to go to her Missouri farm and have her home cooked meals. She always planned special adventures with them when they visited, and Christmas was one of her favorite times to be with them. She would have a special Christmas devotional for them and her words always pointed them to Christ.
Norma’s very best friend in the world was her sister, Opal McMurtrey of Hollister, Missouri. One of her fondest travel adventures was when she and Jim went with Opal and her brother-in-law, Gerald, to Alaska.
Norma’s most memorable accomplishment, other than serving the Lord and loving her family, was receiving her pilot’s permit.
Norma is survived by her son, Randy (Kim) Holmes and their children: Kristin (Johnny) Lyons, Jason (Shelby) Moor, Josh Holmes and Sean Holmes, their grandchildren: Katelynn, Elizabeth, Kelsey, Rebecca, Savannah, Olivia, Aubrey, Samuel, Lola, Cru, Hannah and Sandy; her son, Gary (Pam) Holmes and their sons: Grant (Cayla) Holmes and Quinn Holmes, their grandsons: Truett and Tate. Norma, known as “Sister and Aunt Sissy” is also survived by her sister, Opal (Gerald) McMurtrey, her nephew, Greg (Melissa) McMurtrey and her niece, Michelle (Scott) Holden.
Memorial contributions may be made to Mid-America Transplant (1110 Highlands Plaza Drive; Suite 100; St. Louis, MO 63110).
