Norma Jean Jones Snyder, 95, of Amarillo, TX died Monday, April 18, 2022.
Services will be at 11:00 a.m., Friday, April 22, 2022, at Llano Cemetery Mausoleum. Burial will be at Llano Cemetery. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd.
The daughter of Eugene and Ina Leonard Jones was born April 16, 1927, in Bedford, IA. Norma grew up attending Iowa rural schools for the first through eighth grade. She graduated from Bedford High School in 1944. During her senior year, she worked part-time for J.R. Locke in Bedford. Following high school, she worked for the treasurer of “St. Joe Lewis Press” in St. Joseph, MO until her marriage in March 1945 to Bob Snyder.
She and her husband had a restaurant in Blockton, IA for two years. They moved back to Bedford, IA, where she worked for soil conservation agricultural agencies. Norma and Bob delivered a rural Sunday “Des Moines Register” paper route and raised English Setter birddogs as prizes for Des Moines Register paper carriers. She and her family moved to Amarillo, TX in January 1952 during a building boom as Bob was a plumber. Norma worked for Helium Operations for thirty-three years retiring as executive secretary to four different general managers.
In the Spring of 1995, she and her husband created and operated Bedford Berries, Bedford, IA, for three Spring/Summers. They raised and sold strawberries, black raspberries, blackberries, and currants. A big success in the small Iowa town.
Norma and Bob traveled eighteen years in their motorhome, spending winters in South Texas and Port Aransas, where they enjoyed boating, fishing, and birding with family and friends.
She was a member of Amarillo Ice Skating Club in the 1960’s. She was a 50+ year member of Rebekah Lodge, and a member of National Association of Retired Government Employees. She also was a member of the Co-Workers Sunday School class and West Amarillo Christian Church (now Redeemer Christian Church) since May 10, 1956. She enjoyed playing Bridge, working crossword puzzles, reading, traveling in the RV, fishing, and feeding the birds. She helped her husband write five books on miniature bottles. Norma was a caregiver for her husband and three other ladies whose families were unavailable locally.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Gene and Ina Jones; her husband, Bob, in 2010. She and Bob were married almost sixty-six years.
She is survived by daughter, Jodie (and husband Jay) Nimmo; grandsons, Michael Warren (wife Melissa) Nimmo, and Craig Eugene Nimmo; great-granddaughters, Delanie Rose of South Carolina, and Kallie Brianna Nimmo (all of Albuquerque, NM); brother, Harold Jones; sister-in-law, Barbara Moffitt (husband Leroy); several nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.
Norma will be missed by many.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Salvation Army, 400 S Harrison St, Amarillo, TX 79101; or to High Plains Food Bank, 815 Ross St, Amarillo, TX 79102.
Viewing will be from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, April 21, 2022, at the funeral home.
FOR NORMA
Treasured memories come my way,
Going to Norma’s house, seeing Jodie and Jay,
Playing games, being silly, making popcorn,
You were always around since the day I was born,
“Eat those peas, or you don’t get pie”,
The stories are many, how time seems to fly,
Family dinners, Christmas celebration,
Holidays times we spent with our relation,
Books, bottles and Bob kept you in a tizzy,
Collecting dishes, coins, fish, always busy,
The boat on the lake was always fun,
Skiing, camping, fishing in the hot sun,
The Merry Miler took you many places,
Many adventures, meeting new faces,
Playing cards, reading a book,
Finding a recipe to cook,
Happy to feed the birds you would see,
Watching a game on your TV,
Life was good, many lessons learned,
Everything done, the past was burned,
After celebrating your 95th birthday,
You became a butterfly and flew away.
Love and blessings in your next journey,
Your sister-in-law, Barbara
Noma was one of the nicest person you could ever meet. She basically adopted me when my mother died young. We worked closely together for over 15 years. She counseled me, encouraged me, and never hesitated to correct me when I was wrong. She was so kind to people that needed help. I will miss her as will many people who’s life she touched.
Norma was a wonderful woman. She and her family were long time friends of the Mason Family, dating back to the early 1950s. She was always willing to help…and did… when anyone needed her. As mentioned in her obituary, Norma took care of our mom, in her time of need until Mom passed away, while we were at an overseas assignment.
Her infectious laugh will be missed by us all. She left with our love. May she rest in peace.