Mary Helen Arnold Norton

Helen was born to Althea and Wilson Montgomery Arnold on March 20, 1930 in Plain Dealing, La. After graduation in 1947, she left the farm to begin a new adventure in the city of Baytown. John and Helen were married April 24, 1948. She worked at the telephone company and the Baytown Sun until she had her children.

Helen stayed home until September 1963, when she went to Lee College and earned a degree to begin her nursing career working for Gulf Coast Hospital in the ER and Labor and Delivery for two years. It was in the office of Dr. George L. Walmsley that she spent the next seventeen years helping others in the community and making many friends. After retiring from nursing in 1983, she and John moved to Woodville to build their dream home and enjoy country living and making crafts. They returned to Baytown about thirteen years ago to be closer to their children and grandchildren. .Helen enjoyed sewing, gardening, crafts, cooking and keeping her family together. Helen was a very strong and independent person who was always taking care of others.

Helen is preceded in death by her parents, stepfather, Dave E. St.Claire, sister, Florence Snyder and two brothers, Sonny Arnold and Bobby St. Claire and father and mother in-law, John E and Jessie Norton. She is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, John T. Norton, of Baytown; son, Keith Randall Norton and wife, Ofelia, of Baytown, and daughter, Patrice Molnar and husband, Ernest, of Houston; and grandchildren, Keith Randall Norton Jr. , Joseph Taylor Norton, Elliott Reed Molnar and Katrina Benban.

She leaves behind two brothers, Wayne St. Claire and Joe St. Claire and a sister, Elaine Brown. She is also leaving brothers and sisters-in-law, Jimmy and Illeen Norton, Jack and Waltine Norton, Dorothy Sebesta , Barbara Faye and James Rachel. She leaves many special nieces, nephews and friends.

The family would like to say a special thanks to the staff at St. James House, Faith Community Hospice, and Remington Park in Baytown for the loving care given by all. A visitation for family and friends will be held Monday, December 15, 2008, from 5-7 at Navarre Funeral Home. A celebration of Helen's life will be held Tuesday, December 16, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. with John Spurgeon and Gene Greer officiating the service at Navarre Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held immediately following at Memory Gardens in Baytown.

Nephews Kyle Snyder, Grady Norton, Kirk Norton, Wyman Norton, Shelby St. Claire, Russell Wilson and family friend, Jerry Zlomke will assist as pallbearers.

Memorial Donations may be made to the Sterling Municipal Library, Mary Elizabeth Wilbanks Ave., Baytown, TX 77520 or the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601-7633.

Arrangements are under the direction of Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 2444 Rollingbrook Dr., Baytown, TX, 77521 (281) 422-8111.