Norma T. Hamm

Norma Thaxter Hamm was born in Oakland, CA on August 25, 1945, to Ruth and Albert Thaxter, and was raised in Kansas City, Missouri. After high school she moved to Florida and met her husband, Jimmy Hamm, and received a degree in accounting from Central Florida University. They lived and worked in Colorado, then moved to Mayfield, KY, where she worked for an accounting firm, and then as internal auditor for Murray State University, and after a move to Idaho, as auditor for Idaho State University in Pocatello. They moved to Columbia in 2000, and soon thereafter Mr. Hamm passed away, after a 35-year marriage.

Despite a multiple-sclerosis diagnosis in 2000, Norma remained active and pursued several hobbies, including spinning, weaving, basket-making, drawing and painting. She was a member of the Columbia Fiber Guild and the Mid-Missouri Traditional Dancers. She made many friends in Columbia, and at different times volunteered as a mentor and craft instructor in the public school system, at the Food Bank, and as a Hospice volunteer. She and Richard George were married in 2016. Norma and Richard were able to travel to Ireland and Puerto Rico and made several trips to the Western states.

She is survived by husband Richard, her sisters, Nadine (Phil) Wise of Stilwell, KS and Nancy (Craig) Coldren of Wichita, KS, brothers Jim (Marcie McGuire) Thaxter of Columbia and John (Sue) Thaxter of Pharr, TX; step-son Jimmy Don (Rhonda) Hamm of Metropolis, Ill, nieces Keri Panatier, Heather (Kris) Pacinelli, Lori (Mick) Kinney and Kendra Wise, nephews Thomas Thaxter and Stephen Wise, grand-nephews Maddie and Chris Panatier, Nolan Pacinelli, Rayven and Nathan Wise, and grand-nieces Collette Panatier and Lena Pacinelli.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W, Columbia, MO 65251. A memorial service will take place immediately following at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at the funeral home.

Contributions in her name to the Food Bank or Services for Independent Living of Columbia are welcome.