Norma Louise Howard

Our family has lost the rock and the foundation of our lives. Norma Louise Williams, Boatwright, Howard passed from this life knowing that she will surely be in Heaven with those others who have passed before her. Daughter, Sister, Mother, Norm, Toots were all terms of endearment we all called her, because she was special to each of us in so many ways. She taught us humility, honesty, courage and above all else, she taught us to love each other.

Mom was born in Lone Star, Missouri on April 24, 1930 to Wade and Dora Williams. She leaves behind a Sister, Beverly Colvin and her husband Larry of Pleasant Hill. Three children, Ken Boatwright and his wife Diana Archie, MO, Barbara Page Independence, MO and David and wife Alice Boatwright Florida. She also leaves behind 9 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; five siblings: Elam, Joyce, June, Rita and Wade; her husbands, Marvin Boatwright and Ralph Howard and one son, Marvin Ray Boatwright.

Mom was a school bus driver for many years and loved being with her kids making them laugh and feeling appreciated. She ran an in-home daycare for many years. She also hosted many a sleepover; always cooking breakfast for everyone

Like so many others during the depression, her family had nothing and were considered extremely poor. Through this storm of poverty she learned to be frugal which is evident today by her shopping at the Dollar General for items that she thought others might need or in the many catalogs she received offering great deals. Her motto was “If you don’t have a coupon then don't buy it”. She was as competitive as anyone can be and loved to beat others playing cards, losing would result in name-calling! She loved all sports, especially baseball. Following the Royals allowed her to cheer and cuss in the good times and the bad. Probably should have and could have been a coach. Whether it was playing catch or Hockey, it didn't matter as long as she was out there doing something. She loved going to soccer matches and following grandchildren participate. Had she grown up in a time after Title IX she would have been a great female athlete.

Her love of coffee and cigarettes are epic, but her unconditional love is how most of us will remember her. She was always there for each of us guiding us through difficult times, not with suggestions or answers, but with kindness and understanding. She allowed us to make our own decisions, good or bad. Mom was always a country girl at heart and never lost the love of the land and its animals. Gardening and canning was fun for her. She loved dogs and horses. She also loved to gamble and made several trips to Las Vegas and to the riverboat where she claimed to win but would ignore those trips that failed to win money. She became a staunch Trump supporter after many years a Democrat.

I will miss her kisses, hugs, and eternal grace. I will miss her laugh, telling jokes and listening to her stories. I will miss her selflessness, she always asked about others and how they were doing, trying to give each a piece of herself. She was a good women, mother, wife and sister. I will miss her because I loved her; happy to have memories that will sustain me. It was those memories that made her so fun to be around!

Her stories: Fishing in Alaska for Halibut and climbing down from a deck in Alaska.