Norma Jean Blankenship

She was born Dec. 2, 1932, in New Madrid, MO to the late Richard and Clara St. Mary.

She was united in marriage to Robert (Bob) Blankenship in 1952. He preceded her in death in 1986.

She is survived by her loving sons and their families Bob, Melody, Richard, Brenda, Rick and Chris.

Her grandchildren include Kristen Blankenship of Austin, TX, Laura(Grant) Becker of Park Hills, MO, Courtney(Alex) Perry of Columbia, MO, Ryan(Jenny) Blankenship of Farmington, MO, and Jen(Tyler) Nielsen of Columbia, MO.

Great grandchildren are Emily Blankenship, Emery and Elliot Becker, Charlotte and Georgia Perry, Nolan and Addyson Blankenship, and Jack, Leo, Oliver, and Archie Nielsen.

In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded in death by three brothers Herbert St. Mary, Richard Luke St. Mary II, and Larry St. Mary.

Norma loved her Catholic faith, her family, and music. She and Bob sang in the choir at St. Francis Xavier Church in Sikeston for years. She was born and raised in New Madrid, attended Immaculate Conception Grade School and graduated from New Madrid High. In high school she met Bob, a star basketball player, who would later become her husband.

When Bob returned from Korea, they had three sons and their lives took them to Sikeston and Cape Girardeau and back to Sikeston where they made many lifelong friends.

After Bob passed away, Norma enjoyed taking bus tour trips around the country and always looked forward to the next excursion.

In her later years she would move to Cape. While there, attending the Municipal Band concerts in Capaha Park was one of her favorite things to do as well as attending SEMO baseball games.

She loved volunteering at Old St. Vincent’s Cathedral greeting travelers from Mississippi riverboat cruises who came from around the world.

She was a former parishioner of St. Francis Xavier Church, Old St. Vincent’s, and St. Joseph’s in Farmington. Her family is comforted in knowing that she is reunited with Bob as well as with her brothers and parents.

Funeral services are pending at this time.

The family would like to thank Jana Lucas and the caring staff at Ashbrook in Farmington.

The family welcomes donations be made to St. Francis Xavier Parish in Sikeston or St. Francis Xavier School.