Norma Ruth McWilliams
Funeral services for Norma Ruth McWilliams, 86, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 11, 2015, at First United Methodist Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home
Mrs. McWilliams died at 6:38 p.m., Saturday, March 7, 2015, at Ozarks Medical Center.
She was born June 16, 1928, in Clark County, Missouri, to Virgil Courtney and Anna Ruth Morrison Courtney. On June 29, 1947, she was married at Kahoka, Missouri, to Donald Ferris McWilliams, who preceded her in death on December 11, 2010. She attended Teacher’s College at Kirksville, Missouri and received her LPN license in the late 1960’s. Later in life she joined the Peace Corps, serving in the Philippines with her husband, where they formed lifelong friendships with other Peace Corps members. She was also a 4-H leader and a Sunday school teacher and superintendent when her children were growing up. Mrs. McWilliams was a member of First United Methodist Church for over forty years.
She is survived by five children, Donna Taylor, husband, Terence, Nashville, Tennessee, Scott McWilliams, wife, Judy, West Plains, Missouri, Patricia Lamb, husband, Kurt, South Korea, Nancy Amyx, husband, Kim, Caulfield, Missouri and Mary Lou Klingensmith, husband, James, St. Louis, Missouri; fourteen grandchildren, Robert “Tad” Taylor, wife, Melinni, Jennifer Ruth Raisanen, husband, Peter, Jeremiah McWilliams, wife, Gwen, Levi McWilliams, wife, Anna, Amy Chickles, husband, Justin, Luke Andermann, wife, Stephanie, Matt Amyx, Tof McWilliams, wife, Beth, Lisa Barslow, husband, Judd, Samantha Cooper, husband, Darren, Eric Amyx, Jason Lamb, wife, Vanessa, Heather Lloyd, husband, Chris and Matthew Klingensmith; twenty-one great-grandchildren, Chase, Chanel, Ainsley, Andrew, Tate, Hayes, Sloane, August, Inara, Elliott, Brighton, Braydon, Nicholas, Anna, Tetagan, Aidan, Miles, Shelby, Brooks, Jackson and Sarah; one brother-in-law, Richard McWilliams; two sisters-in-law, Marilyn Otte and Celia McWilliams; and several beloved nieces and nephews.
Her parents, husband, one brother, Leore and one sister, Juanita, precede her in death.
Visitation will be held from 5:30 until 7:00 p.m., Tuesday at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Springfield, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Larry and Jean Johnson
March 9, 2015 @ 5:22 pm
Norma was a very wonderful friend and neighbor, a beautiful person here on earth and now a beautiful angel in heaven, she will be very much missed.Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Mike and Diana Pace
March 9, 2015 @ 8:51 pm
Our sincere sympathy. Keeping your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Smitty
March 9, 2015 @ 11:13 pm
Scott, We will be out of state, but our thoughts and prayers will be with you. Many happy memories eating beef stew in your Mom’s kitchen. Smitty
Marc Lyon
March 10, 2015 @ 7:38 am
Prayers and thoughts with the McWilliams family. May God’s comfort and peace shower you during this time of loss.
Karla Devan
March 10, 2015 @ 9:29 am
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
God’s Blessings on you all.
Jean Lee Lamb
Curt and Karla Devan
Kathy (Lipper) Dochterman
March 10, 2015 @ 1:15 pm
Our sympathies for your loss. I was a frequent visitor at your home in Kahoka so many years ago as a childhood friend of Nancy’s. Good memories of those times and of the entire family. I remember Norma as a wonderful and kind person and hope your memories of her keep you warm. Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers.
Jess and Patsy Atkinson
March 10, 2015 @ 3:43 pm
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families–We always thought Don and Norma were such a sweet couple–They always had such a positive outlook on life and lived it to the fullest. Thinking of you.
Amber(Cozort)Redburn
March 11, 2015 @ 8:21 am
Mary and James, I attended your Mother’s visitation last night to extend my sympathy to you and your family, but Scott told me that you were in St. Louis awaiting family to arrive via plane. I wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you and your family this AM and today. You and your family are in my thoughts and daily prayers. May God encourage, support, and comfort each one of you thru this difficult time. May God bless each one of you. In Christian Love, Amber Redburn
John Tandy
March 12, 2015 @ 1:47 pm
Scott and families, I just received my Quill and learned of your mother’s passing. I want to express my sympathy to all of you. I think the world of your family, and have many memories of good times with many of you. My heart goes out to you. Your Mom (and Dad) were very special people! They both helped make this world a better place. –JT, Jefferson City
Hassel and Alice Vandergriff
March 13, 2015 @ 5:45 am
We are so very sorry for your loss; you are in our thoughts and prayers!