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Submitted by: TD
Norma Jean (Couch) Jones, 92, longtime Shawnee resident passed away Tuesday afternoon November 20th, 2018. Norma Jean, the daughter of Rufus and Lela (Watson) Couch was born October 21st, 1926 on her parent's homestead in Bethel Acres, OK. Norma had one brother, Cecil.
Some of Norma's childhood enjoyments included sports, especially basketball and softball as she attended Bethel Schools through graduation in 1944. After graduation, Norma attended Eastern State University in Wilburton until she transferred to Oklahoma Baptist University for a few semesters. She then moved to Hooker to teach and finish her degree at Panhandle State University. She later received her master's degree at Oklahoma State University.
Shortly after moving to the panhandle, she met the love of her life, JR Jones, who worked for Phillips Petroleum until his untimely death in 1974. JR and Norma were married August 29th, 1949 in Clayton, NM. They had two children, Lynda and Randy and lived at SherHan Plant south of Guymon until 1964 when they moved into Guymon. Norma was a life-long teacher with her first position in Tribbey as softball coach and English teacher. After meeting JR and teaching a few years at Hooker, she took time off to spend at home with their young children. She then taught in Guymon until retirement in 1975. Norma then moved back to Shawnee to be closer to her aging parents and continue devoting her time to children as she took over the child development program at the First Baptist Church of Shawnee. She retired from the program after 10 years of service.
Many knew Norma for several years as the "the street walker." In the late 80s, she started walking to lose weight and could be seen most days walking the streets north of Independence, walking 35+ miles per week. Norma was preceded in death by her husband JR; her parents and brother.
Norma is survived by her daughter, Lynda Cornelius and son, Randy. She is also survived by 4 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday, November 26, 2018 and continue through service time. Services will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at Cooper Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Jesse Hernandez, Blackburn Chapel Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park Shawnee under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh.
Special acknowledgement to McLoud Nursing Center and Aspire Hospice for their diligent care over the last several years.