Norma Lee Jones

Having no telephone in their home in Glover, Missouri, on January 15, 1939, Elmer Samson Warren had to drive “somewhere” to find a phone to call Dr. Fitzpatrick in Lesterville to help his wife, Agnes Elta Pearl Bone Warren in the home delivery of their first daughter, Norma Lee. After Norma, there would be an additional six daughters: Carol Marie Vickery of Ironton; Joyce Ann Browers of Arcadia; Doris Ruth Miles of Ironton; Patricia Gail Patton of Chatham, IL; Donna Jean McCarver who preceded her in death; and Virginia Lynn Warren of Davenport, IA. After all those sisters, Norma finally got a little brother: Stanley Elmer Warren of Fenton. Being the oldest, Norma had a pile of chores she was responsible for. About twenty years ago, when asked to describe some household chores she had as a child, Norma responded: “Ironing, doing dishes, ironing, sweeping the floor, ironing, taking care of the baby (there was always a baby), ironing, carrying out and dumping the overnight toilet pot, ironing, some cooking, and did I mention ironing?” Many of Norma’s memories from her youth centered around church. She had fond childhood memories of attending church at the little United Baptist Church in Glover, which she said the family was able to attend about once a month. Later, in her teenage years, the family attended FBC Ironton where she was active in the YWA and the choir. She was a member of FBC Ironton from the age of 17 until her death. Norma attended Ironton High School and served on the Tiger Talks school paper her Junior and Senior years writing feature articles. Her favorite subject was English, and although her least favorite was math, she said she cried over trying to learn shorthand. About that trial she wrote, “Little did I know that in the future, I would work for the Edgar and Edgar Law Firm for 42 ½ years – and use my shorthand skills every day I worked for the Edgars.” She graduated in 1956 and was voted Most Studious by her classmates. Her first real job was working in the dime store – it was officially called Kendall’s Mercantile – as a clerk at the age of 14. Her first full 40-hour a week paycheck was $19. Then, for a short time, she worked at Dairy Queen (located where Desi’s Diner is now) just before she was hired by the Edgar and Edgar Law Firm. In 1960, Norma was united in marriage to Ray Spitzmiller. To this union, three children were born: Sherri Ann Snider (husband, Karl) of Arcadia; Alan Ray Spitzmiller (wife, Michele) of Roselle; and John Norman Spitzmiller (wife, Ginger) of Madison, Alabama. In 1988, Norma married Beauford Jones, who preceded her in death on December 1, 2021. One of the things she was most proud of was the little store she and Beauford owned and operated here in the valley called Valley Variety and Gifts. In addition to attending church and Sunday School, she enjoyed participating in the Red Hat Society, sewing (she was a master seamstress), and traveling. Although admittedly afraid of heights, she developed a LOVE for flying and enjoyed traveling. On November 10, 2023, while residing at The Baptist Home in Ironton, Norma finished her race, received the hand of Jesus, and was welcomed into Heaven. In addition to her husband, Beauford, Norma was preceded in death by her sister, Donna McCarver; a daughter, Terri Warren; two grandsons, JD Jones and David Tucker; and a nephew, Adam Patton. She is survived by her children, Sherri Snider, Alan Spitzmiller, John Spitzmiller, Jeff Jones, and Jennifer Jones. She is also survived by seven granddaughters: Ashley Hall, Holli Shor, Bethany Spitzmiller, Sarah Spitzmiller, Sophie Spitzmiller, Lindsay Marler, and Blondell Tucker; and three grandsons: Stephen Snider, Merlin Tucker, and Tommy Warren. Norma is also survived by three great-granddaughters, Penelope and Evelyn Shor, and Piper Snider; and two great-grandsons, Terrance Marler and Bradley Jagush. Having come from such a large family, she is survived by a host of nieces, nephews, and other family members, as well as a great many friends.