I've spent some time trying to find the words to say goodbye to my nana. How to pick a memory? A flight I can't remember when I was 2, but a story nana always reminded me of, trips to Silver Dollar City, visits to Wisconsin, my college graduation, dancing at my wedding, her holding my baby, or any of our little adventures? Which memory? How do i say goodbye to a person my whole life is connected with?  

I guess I should start with our adventures and see where that takes my memory.  Nana and I often had many little adventures together. One of our favorite places to go were the botanical gardens. Nana loved the gardens. I think they were one of her favorite places to visit. She loved gardens in any form and just being in the outdoors. We often sat on the porch and talked while listening to the birds or the crickets. I was always her Crying Basket. It was a nickname I had been given as a baby and she used it every visit.  

When we were little my nana was my stricter grandmother. She used to chase us down with a washcloth multiple times a day, so we didn't touch her walls. We'd run, she'd chase after us despite being outnumbered, while grandpa laughed from the table. Nana had more rules, but she loved us all. Nana was a constant in my life. She was strong, stern, but fair. The security, the comfort, and the love were all things I experienced in her home my entire life.

Nana had an curious spirit. She loved to travel and explore the world. Where she couldn't go, she read about. My nana was an avid reader, I loved discussing books with her. I remember some of our conversations about "To Kill a Mocking Bird," all things Mark Twain, and Jane Austen. Nana often brought me books and I thank her for that. 
So much of who I am has been influenced by my grandmother. I miss her terribly. I loved her so dearly, but I am reminded of her in each book, each flower, and every cardinal. 
Rest in Peace my beloved nana you are missed now and always. 

Norma was one of the only relatives of my dad who I knew. She was a very nice and sweet person, dedicated to family and life. Rest in peace. 

I am Lou Jearls, son-in-law to Norma and Howard, married to their youngest daughter Susan.
I have known Norma ( the “Queen” as Howard would call her) for about 17 years.
Recently, while Norma was at Christian Hospital North East ...
recovering from hip surgery ... I was blessed to be alone with her 
for a while, and to hear her stories ... reminiscing about the past.
One in-particular about Howard kidding her about being 
“Second Hand Rose” because a rich friend of theirs would pass down some nice cloths to her ... she was humble and grateful.
So we laughed and sang together as I played the song “Second Hand
Rose” on my phone, she knew all the words by heart. She was happy.
Reminiscing further:
Susan and I would go and take Norma out on Sundays afternoon and evenings, to festivals, Christmas concerts, concerts in the parks in the summertime, and always out to dinner.  Our Sunday’s will never be the same.
Mark and Mel would take her out on Friday evenings ... I’am sure
their Friday’s will never be the same.

Norma was very familiar with the Bible ... the KING JAMES Bible
to be exact.  She particularly liked the Sermon on the Mount. Psalms 3 and Psalms 91. She was religious and loved the Lord at heart ... I am sure she had some failed moments ( she had
a stressful life at times), but I never heard her curse or use foul
language ... we always prayed before meals ... she was always prim-n-proper ... she was a classy lady.
Occasionally Susan and I would take Norma to musical concerts, upbeat, traditional jazz, big band, and swing music indoors and some outdoors, she always enjoyed getting out ... but was always glad to get back home ... the house that Howard built.
She loved going to the Muny Opera ... again reminiscing about the past, taking a trolley to Forest Park and sitting in the grassy area at the Muny theater with friends. 
Norma will be missed by many, for many reasons.
May she Rest In Peace with our Lord Jesus Christ.


We will all miss Norma greatly.  What a wonderful, warm, loving lady. Anyone who ever met your mother and grandmother came away a better, more enriched person for the experience. RIP dear Norma.
Connie and Craig Tompkins

Thoughts about my mom, Norma. My mom’s life it  seemed she was destined to take care of people, and house hold affairs. 
Her immediate family as a child was small, four people, her parents her,  and a younger brother.  Do to hard times following the Great Depression other relatives moved into their house, because they had lost jobs and homes. My mom’s mother (do to illness) was unable to take care of many of the house hold chores. So my mom started helping a lot at and early age.  She earned money in the summer picking strawberries, and peaches, in the fall apples.
She loved strawberries my dad always said she eat as many strawberries as she picked.
She moved into a house across the street from my father when she was eight years old and grew up there, my father was 12. My father and mother knew each other 78 years, and married for 67 of those years.
Even getting married, again destined to be a stay home mother, and housewife. Having five children, and two with disabilities, made for long, and busy days.
My mom liked having flowers growing in the yard, spring flowers, summer and fall. Her alone time was very early, first light in the morning you would see her outside looking and taking care of her flowers before the rest of the household was awake. That was her time.
Having children is a big responsibility and a lot of work, and can be a challenge to some people and their marriages.
So I have a lot of respect for my parents, and their marriage, for my dad cherished my mother Norma, and my mother honored, and respected my dad Howard.  They loved each other and were committed to each other  and keeping the family together.
Thank you mom and dad for showing me unconditional love and commitment to our family. For being and example of the unconditional love of Christ Jesus.

OBITUARY

Norma Lea Lingle

17 January, 1931 – 5 March, 2020

Alexander-White-Mullen Funeral Home and Mt Lebanon Cemetery

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